Brenden first name popularity, history and meaning

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

Meaning of Brenden

Celtic name meaning "prince" or "king's son".

Popularity of Brenden by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Brenden is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Brenden being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 58 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Brenden.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 58 0
2022 77 0
2021 104 0
2020 118 0
2019 131 0
2018 170 0
2017 204 0
2016 204 0
2015 242 0
2014 343 0
2013 429 0
2012 533 0
2011 579 0
2010 753 0
2009 891 0
2008 898 5
2007 1,003 0
2006 1,011 0
2005 1,002 0
2004 1,145 0
2003 1,184 0
2002 1,240 0
2001 1,221 0
2000 1,394 0
1999 1,316 8
1998 1,267 0
1997 1,108 0
1996 908 0
1995 705 5
1994 731 7
1993 571 8
1992 509 0
1991 451 0
1990 363 0
1989 313 0
1988 295 0
1987 285 0
1986 202 9
1985 147 0
1984 168 0
1983 128 0
1982 119 0
1981 104 0
1980 103 0
1979 85 0
1978 59 0
1977 72 0
1976 71 0
1975 66 0
1974 45 0

The history of the first name Brenden

The name Brenden has its origins in the Celtic culture, believed to have emerged in Ireland and Scotland around the 5th century AD. It is derived from the Old Irish name "Bréanainn," which means "prince" or "navigator." The name's roots can be traced back to the Gaelic word "bré," meaning "hill" or "rise."

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Brenden was Saint Brendan the Navigator, an Irish monk who lived in the 6th century AD. He is famous for his legendary journey across the Atlantic Ocean, as chronicled in the medieval text "Navigatio Sancti Brendani Abbatis" (The Voyage of Saint Brendan the Abbot). This tale inspired many explorers and adventurers during the Age of Exploration.

In the 12th century, the name Brenden appeared in the Icelandic sagas, particularly in the "Landnámabók" (Book of Settlements), which documented the settlement of Iceland by Norse explorers. This suggests that the name had gained popularity among the Vikings and was carried to other regions through their travels and conquests.

In the literary world, one notable figure with the name Brenden was the English poet and playwright Brendan Behan (1923-1964). He was celebrated for his works that captured the spirit of working-class Dublin and his witty, irreverent style.

Another famous Brenden was Brendan Bracken (1901-1958), a British politician and close confidant of Winston Churchill during World War II. He played a crucial role in shaping Churchill's public image and served as the Minister of Information in the wartime government.

In more recent times, the name Brenden has been associated with several notable individuals, including Brendan Fraser (born 1968), the American actor known for his roles in films such as "The Mummy" and "Journey to the Center of the Earth." Brendan Gleeson (born 1955) is an acclaimed Irish actor who has appeared in numerous films, including the "Harry Potter" series and "Calvary."

Throughout history, the name Brenden has carried a sense of adventure, exploration, and resilience, reflecting its Celtic roots and the tales of legendary figures like Saint Brendan the Navigator. Its enduring popularity across cultures and eras attests to its rich heritage and timeless appeal.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

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

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

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

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.