Brennyn first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Brennyn has been for the last 28 years (from 1992 to 2019) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Brennyn

A feminine Welsh variant of the name Brendan, meaning "prince" or "raven-like".

Popularity of Brennyn by gender

Based on the last 28 years of data, Brennyn is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 52% of people named Brennyn being female.

For the most recent data in 2019, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Brennyn.

Year Male Count Female Count
2019 0 5
2018 8 0
2017 6 0
2016 0 6
2015 0 5
2014 7 7
2013 6 7
2012 8 13
2011 11 10
2010 12 13
2009 15 17
2008 8 14
2007 12 14
2006 7 6
2005 5 6
2004 8 5
2003 8 5
2002 8 0
2001 0 5
1998 0 6
1992 5 0

The history of the first name Brennyn

The given name Brennyn is believed to have originated from the Celtic language, specifically Brythonic Celtic, which was spoken by the ancient Britons. The name is thought to be derived from the elements "bren" or "bran," meaning "raven" or "crow," and the diminutive suffix "-yn," indicating smallness or endearment.

This name has its roots in the ancient Welsh and Cornish cultures, where ravens were revered as sacred birds associated with wisdom, prophecy, and the otherworld. The earliest recorded instance of the name Brennyn can be traced back to medieval Welsh literature, particularly in the form "Brenhin," which meant "king" or "leader."

One of the earliest known figures with a similar name was Bran the Blessed, a legendary Welsh king and giant who features prominently in the Mabinogion, a collection of medieval Welsh tales. According to mythology, Bran's head was buried on the White Mount in London, now known as Tower Hill, to protect the island from invasion.

In the 6th century, Saint Branwalator, also known as Brendan the Navigator, was a legendary Irish monk and traveler who is said to have undertaken a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, possibly reaching the shores of North America. His name, derived from the Welsh "Brenhin," means "prince" or "leader."

Another notable figure was Brân ap Llŷr, a heroic character from the Welsh myth cycle known as the Second Branch of the Mabinogi. He was the son of Llŷr, the king of Britain, and played a significant role in the stories of the ancient Britons.

During the Middle Ages, the name Brennyn appeared in various spellings, such as Brenny, Brenny, and Brennyn, among the Welsh and Cornish people. One notable bearer of this name was Brenny Whetynhale, a 14th-century English priest and canon from Cornwall.

While the name Brennyn has maintained a presence in Welsh and Cornish communities throughout history, its usage has been relatively uncommon compared to other Celtic names. However, it remains a unique and evocative name with deep roots in the ancient traditions and folklore 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 Brennyn was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Brennyn first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 10, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/brennyn-meaning-and-history/.

"Brennyn first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/brennyn-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 10 June, 2025

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

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