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Brayden

♂ Boy

Pronounced BRAY-den /ˈbreɪ.dən/High

Meaning: Broad valley or descendant of Bradán — from Irish Gaelic bradán (salmon) or Old English brād denu (broad valley); origin disputedMedium

In 30 seconds: A modern American respelling of Braden, Brayden blends Irish-Gaelic heritage with the trendy -ayden sound that swept U.S. baby name charts in the 2000s.

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Origin MediumIrish, Old English

MeaningBroad valley or descendant of Bradán — from Irish Gaelic bradán (salmon) or Old English brād denu (broad valley); origin disputed

U.S. rank (2025)#229 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births1,545 boys (0.09% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2010

Total births (all-time)≈ 136,518

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Brayden is a modern American variant spelling of Braden or Braeden, which derives either from the Irish surname Ó Bradáin (descendant of Bradán, where bradán means salmon) or from Old English place-name elements meaning 'broad valley.' The -ayden spelling became popular in the late 20th century United States, part of a broader phonetic spelling trend.

Brayden surged into the U.S. top 100 boys' names in the early 2000s as part of the rhyming -ayden name wave that included Jayden, Hayden, Kaiden, and Aiden. Though it has declined somewhat from its peak, it remains a recognizable 2000s-era name. The Braden/Braeden/Brayden spellings all appear in U.S. birth records.

Did you know? Brayden is one of several popular -ayden variants — Jayden, Kayden, Hayden, Aiden — that dominated the U.S. top-100 boys' names simultaneously in the 2000s, prompting linguists to coin the term 'Aiden/Jayden rhyme group.'

Variations

BradenBraedenBraiden

Nicknames

Bray

Famous Bearers

★Brayden Point (b. 1996)
Canadian NHL centre for the Tampa Bay Lightning who led all players in playoff goals in both 2020 and 2021, helping Tampa Bay win back-to-back Stanley Cup championships.

If you like Brayden…

Jayden— member of the same -ayden rhyme group that dominated 2000s boy names

Kayden— another -ayden variant sharing Brayden's sound and era

Hayden— Old English surname-name with the same -ayden sound but deeper roots

Aiden— Irish classic that anchored the -ayden trend

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Brayden mean?

Brayden likely derives from Irish Gaelic bradán (salmon) or Old English meaning 'broad valley'; the exact origin is debated.

How do you pronounce Brayden?

Brayden is pronounced BRAY-den /ˈbreɪ.dən/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Brayden a boy or girl name?

Brayden is used primarily as a boys' name in the United States.

How popular is Brayden?

Brayden was a U.S. top-100 boys' name through much of the 2000s and 2010s as part of the popular -ayden name trend.