Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Brave

Brave

♂ Boy

Pronounced BRAYV /ˈbreɪv/High

Meaning: Courageous, fearless; the English adjective from Italian/French brave, used as a virtue nameHigh

In 30 seconds: No symbolism required: Brave is the courage itself, worn daily. A one-word pep talk in the virtue-name tradition of True and Noble.
💕 Browse more names
Origin HighEnglish
MeaningCourageous, fearless; the English adjective from Italian/French brave, used as a virtue name
U.S. rank (2025)#3191 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births37 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2022
Total births (all-time)≈ 506

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202220082025

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

Brave is the English adjective — borrowed through French and Italian bravo — adopted as a name in the twenty-first century's virtue-word revival alongside Noble, True, and Loyal. Celebrity use (including reality-TV and ministry families naming sons Brave) seeded it through the 2010s.

It remains very rare, used mostly for boys. Its job description is printed on the package.

Did you know? Virtue names were a Puritan specialty — but they named girls Patience and Charity; today's parents finally gave boys the adjectives, with Brave leading the charge.
Overall data confidence 92%
Oxford English Dictionary — brave — word etymology

Variations

BraveryBravo

Nicknames

—

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Brave…

Noble— a fellow direct virtue adjective for sons
Valor— the noun form of the same courage
Wilder— shares the bold modern word-name spirit
Wave— lands in the same popularity range
Kove— echoes that soft -ve sound

Explore names like Brave

By thememodernword-namevirtue
By meaningBrave / Courage

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Brave mean?

Brave is the English adjective meaning 'courageous', used directly as a virtue name.

How do you pronounce Brave?

It's said BRAYV /ˈbreɪv/ — a single syllable.

Is Brave a boy or girl name?

Brave is used mainly for boys.

How popular is Brave?

Brave is a very rare virtue name in the U.S.

💬 Ask Nia