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Home › Baby Names Directory › Brannigan

Brannigan

♂ Boy

Pronounced BRAN-ih-gun /ˈbræn.ɪ.ɡən/Medium

Meaning: Brannigan is an anglicized Irish surname from a Gaelic clan name (O Branagain), possibly tied to a word for 'raven' (bran). Its first-name use is modern and rare, and the exact root sense is uncertain, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A lively Irish surname: Brannigan comes from a Gaelic clan name, perhaps tied to 'raven' (said 'BRAN-ih-gun'). Route uncertain, which we note.
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Origin MediumIrish
MeaningBrannigan is an anglicized Irish surname from a Gaelic clan name (O Branagain), possibly tied to a word for 'raven' (bran). Its first-name use is modern and rare, and the exact root sense is uncertain, which we note.
U.S. rank (2024)#12559 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2004
Total births (all-time)≈ 21

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200419762024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Brannigan is an anglicized Irish surname from the Gaelic O Branagain, a clan name possibly tied to 'raven.' Its given-name use is modern and rare, and the root sense is uncertain, which we note. A spirited three-beat name (said 'BRAN-ih-gun').

It is very rare as a first name for boys in the U.S. Rare, Irish, and spirited.

Did you know? Brannigan is an Irish clan surname, possibly rooted in the word for 'raven,' and it carries a jaunty, storybook energy as a first name. Its exact root sense is uncertain, which we note (said 'BRAN-ih-gun').
Overall data confidence 46%
References — Brannigan — Irish clan surname; possibly 'raven'; root uncertain

Variations

BranaganBrannagan

Nicknames

BranNigan

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Brannigan…

Finnegan— a like Irish -gan surname name
Branson— a like Bran- surname name
Donovan— a like lively Irish surname
Callahan— lands in the same popularity range
Kilian— another Irish name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Brannigan mean?

Brannigan is an Irish clan surname, possibly tied to a word for 'raven'; the exact root is uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Brannigan?

It's said BRAN-ih-gun /ˈbræn.ɪ.ɡən/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Brannigan a boy or girl name?

Here Brannigan is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Brannigan?

Brannigan is very rare as a first name for boys in the U.S.

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