The nameBrendan

Brendan is the Irish name of a sailor saint. It was at its peak around 2000.

Meaning

Brendan comes from the Old Irish Bréanainn, often linked to a Welsh word for "prince".

Origin

Irish.

History

Saint Brendan the Navigator, a 6th century monk, is said to have sailed the Atlantic in search of the Isle of the Blessed. In the United States Brendan reached 96th in 1999. In England and Wales it was 157th in 1998.

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Famous people named Brendan

Popularity of the name Brendan

Brendan in the United States

1011thmost popular boys' name in the United States in 2024
1999peak year (4,004 births)
91,937babies named Brendan in the United States since 1880
02,0024,004 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Brendan was most popular in the United States in the 1990s, with 28,620 births over the decade, 31% of all recorded babies named Brendan. Its rise began around 1966, and it peaked in 1999. Half of all babies named Brendan in the United States were born before 1997. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 284 births a year on average, against 597 in the five years before.

Brendan in the United Kingdom

1282ndmost popular boys' name in the United Kingdom in 2025
1998peak year (292 births)
3,566babies named Brendan in the United Kingdom since 1997
0146292 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Brendan was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 1,860 births over the decade, 52% of all recorded babies named Brendan. Half of all babies named Brendan in the United Kingdom were born before 2003. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 23 births a year on average, against 44 in the five years before.

Brendan in Ireland

412thmost popular boys' name in Ireland in 2025
1966peak year (440 births)
11,413babies named Brendan in Ireland since 1964
0220440 198020002020
Births per year in Ireland. Source: Central Statistics Office, names given at least 3 times a year.

Brendan in France

2000peak year (95 births)
1,705babies named Brendan in France since 1900
04895 1900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Variants and related names

Sibling names for Brendan

Names from the same generation as Brendan, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Brendan? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Brendan with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Brendan side by side with the name of your choice.

Brendan in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Brendan mean?

Brendan comes from the Old Irish Bréanainn, often linked to a Welsh word for "prince".

What is the origin of the name Brendan?

Irish.

Is Brendan a girl's or a boy's name?

Brendan is a boy's name.

How popular is the name Brendan?

In 2024, Brendan was the 1011th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 221 births.

What are the variants of the name Brendan?

Variants and related names of Brendan include Brenda.

What are good sibling names for Brendan?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Kelly, Erin, Tara and Desiree for a sister, Brian, Jakob, Marc and Dustin for a brother.

Who are famous people named Brendan?

Saint Brendan the Navigator; Brendan Behan, playwright; Brendan Gleeson, actor; Brendan Fraser, actor.