Breann first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Breann has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Breann

French feminine name meaning "descendant of royalty" or "of noble birth".

Popularity of Breann by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Breann is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Breann.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 5
2022 0 10
2021 0 8
2020 0 10
2019 0 16
2018 0 25
2017 0 22
2016 0 26
2015 0 26
2014 0 34
2013 0 39
2012 0 54
2011 0 55
2010 0 61
2009 0 75
2008 0 84
2007 0 83
2006 0 105
2005 0 110
2004 0 115
2003 0 151
2002 0 131
2001 0 181
2000 0 168
1999 0 206
1998 0 215
1997 0 240
1996 0 299
1995 0 282
1994 0 231
1993 0 273
1992 0 288
1991 0 259
1990 0 264
1989 0 218
1988 0 221
1987 0 180
1986 0 175
1985 0 158
1984 0 159
1983 0 89
1982 0 102
1981 0 94
1980 0 99
1979 0 89
1978 0 20
1977 0 24
1976 0 12
1975 0 7
1974 0 5

The history of the first name Breann

The name Breann is a modern variation of the Irish name Bríghid, which means "exalted one" or "the high one." It has its origins in Celtic mythology, where Bríghid was the name of an Irish goddess associated with fertility, poetry, healing, and smithcraft. The name was later adopted by early Irish Christians and became popular as a given name for girls.

The earliest recorded use of the name Bríghid can be traced back to the 5th century AD, when it was borne by St. Brigid of Kildare, a celebrated abbess and one of Ireland's patron saints. St. Brigid founded several monasteries and is revered for her piety, miracles, and charitable works. Her feast day, celebrated on February 1st, is still widely observed in Ireland and parts of Europe.

Over the centuries, the name evolved into various spellings and forms, including Brigid, Bridget, Bríd, Bride, and Bree. The spelling Breann emerged as a modern variant, likely influenced by the Gaelic spelling "Breanainn" and the English pronunciation of the name.

Notable historical figures with the name Breann or its variations include:

  1. Brigid of Kildare (c. 451 - c. 525), the Irish abbess and patron saint.
  2. Brigid of Sweden (c. 1303 - 1373), a Swedish princess and religious leader who founded the Brigittine Order.
  3. Bridget Boland (1913 - 1988), an Irish politician and activist who served as the first female Lord Mayor of Dublin.
  4. Bridget Riley (born 1931), a renowned British painter and one of the leading figures in the Op Art movement.
  5. Brigid Berlin (1939 - 2022), an American actress, artist, and muse of Andy Warhol's Factory.

While the name Breann is not as widely used as its more traditional forms, it has gained popularity in recent decades, especially in the United States and parts of Europe. The name carries a rich cultural heritage and connections to Irish mythology, Christianity, and influential historical figures.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Breann was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Breann, please contact us.

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"Breann first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 31, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/breann-meaning-and-history/.

"Breann first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/breann-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 31 October, 2024

Breann first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/breann-meaning-and-history/.

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