Find out how popular the first name Breena has been for the last 49 years (from 1974 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Breena by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Breena is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 8 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Breena.

The history of the first name Breena

The name Breena is believed to have its origins in the Celtic languages of ancient Britain and Ireland. It is thought to be derived from the old Celtic word "bren," which means "hill" or "high place." The name may have been given to children born in hilly or mountainous regions, or it could have been a descriptive name for someone who lived in such an area.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Breena can be traced back to the 9th century, when it appears in ancient Irish annals and manuscripts. One notable example is the mention of a woman named Breena in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history written by monks in the late 15th century.

In the 12th century, a woman named Breena was recorded as being a member of the royal court of King Muirchertach Ua Briain, the High King of Ireland. This suggests that the name was not uncommon among the nobility and upper classes during this period.

As the centuries passed, the name Breena continued to be used across the British Isles, particularly in Ireland and Scotland. Several notable figures throughout history bore this name, including Breena MacKenzie (c. 1590-1654), a Scottish noblewoman and clan chief, and Breena O'Malley (c. 1530-1603), an Irish pirate queen known for her seafaring exploits along the western coast of Ireland.

In the 17th century, Breena Fitzgerald (1628-1692) was a prominent Irish landowner and supporter of the Catholic Confederation of Kilkenny during the Irish Confederate Wars. Around the same time, Breena MacLean (c. 1650-1718) was a Scottish chieftain and leader of the Clan MacLean on the Hebrides Islands.

Moving into more recent times, one notable figure with the name Breena was Breena Kern (1905-1988), an American actress and vaudeville performer who appeared in several Broadway productions and Hollywood films during the 1920s and 1930s.

While the name Breena has its roots in ancient Celtic cultures, it has since spread to other parts of the world and continues to be used as a given name in various contexts, carrying with it a rich historical legacy and connection to the rugged landscapes of the British Isles.

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 Breena was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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