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Home › Baby Names Directory › Brendan

Brendan

♂ Boy

Pronounced BREN-dun /ˈbrɛn.dən/High

Meaning: Prince; brave; from Irish Gaelic Breandán, from Brittonic brenhin (king, prince) or from Welsh bran (raven) — etymology disputedMedium

In 30 seconds: An Irish name meaning 'prince' or possibly 'raven,' borne by Saint Brendan the Navigator — the 6th-century Irish monk who, according to legend, sailed to North America 900 years before Columbus.
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Origin MediumIrish
MeaningPrince; brave; from Irish Gaelic Breandán, from Brittonic brenhin (king, prince) or from Welsh bran (raven) — etymology disputed
U.S. rank (2025)#1098 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births195 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1999
Total births (all-time)≈ 91,807

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199919122025

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

Brendan derives from Irish Gaelic Breandán, possibly from Brittonic brenhin (king, prince) or from the Celtic bran (raven). Saint Brendan of Clonfert (c.484–c.577 CE) is celebrated as 'the Navigator' for his legendary Atlantic voyages.

Brendan has been popular in Irish American communities and entered wider U.S. use from the mid-20th century. It ranked #1009 for boys in 2024.

Did you know? Saint Brendan's legendary Atlantic voyage (the Navigatio Brendani) described islands that some scholars identify as real Atlantic features, including the Faroe Islands and possibly Iceland — and in 1976–1977, Tim Severin proved a replica currach could actually make the crossing.
Overall data confidence 82%
Behind the Name — Brendan — Irish Gaelic etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

BrendenBrendon

Nicknames

BrenBrenny

Famous Bearers

  • ★Saint Brendan the Navigator (484–577)
    Irish monk and abbot of Clonfert, whose legendary Atlantic voyage (Navigatio Brendani) is said by some to have reached Iceland or even North America.

If you like Brendan…

Declan— Irish saint name with the same two-syllable breezy Celtic feel
Callum— Scottish Gaelic name with the same Celtic heritage
Seamus— Irish form of James with the same Gaelic-tradition quality
Cormac— Irish Gaelic royal name with the same ancient Celtic depth

Explore names like Brendan

By themetwo-syllableirishsaintgaelicprince
By meaningRoyal / NobleBrave / CourageBird

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Brendan mean?

Brendan means 'prince' or 'brave,' from Irish Gaelic Breandán, possibly from Brittonic brenhin (king/prince).

How do you pronounce Brendan?

It's said BREN-dun — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Brendan a boy or girl name?

Brendan is used as a boys' name.

How popular is Brendan?

Brendan ranked #1009 for U.S. boys in 2024.

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