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Brennan

♀ Girl

Pronounced BREN-ən /ˈbrɛn.ən/High

Meaning: From the Irish O Braonain, 'a descendant of Braonan' (from braon, 'a drop; moisture; sorrow'), so 'a little drop; a teardrop'; used for both sexes; here for girls; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: A descendant of Braonan; a little teardrop: Brennan is an Irish surname. Crisp, modern, and warm. Used for both sexes (here for girls).

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Origin LowIrish

MeaningFrom the Irish O Braonain, 'a descendant of Braonan' (from braon, 'a drop; moisture; sorrow'), so 'a little drop; a teardrop'; used for both sexes; here for girls; routes layered

U.S. rank (2025)#9557 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births10 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2007

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,228

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

Brennan comes from the Irish surname O Braonain — 'a descendant of Braonan', from braon, 'a drop; moisture; sorrow' — giving 'a little drop; a teardrop' (routes layered, which we note). A crisp, modern name, more often a boy's name, used here for girls (slug distinguished; nickname Bren).

It registers thinly for girls. Rare for girls, a-descendant-of-Braonan at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Brennan comes from the Irish O Braonain, 'a descendant of Braonan' (from braon, 'a drop; moisture; sorrow'), giving 'a little drop; a teardrop' — a crisp, modern name, used for both sexes (here for girls; the routes are layered, which we note; said 'BREN-ən').

Overall data confidence 48%

Behind the Name — Brennan — routes layered

Variations

BrennenBrennaBrennon

Nicknames

Bren

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Brennan…

Brenna— the -a feminine form

Brecken— a fellow Irish -en unisex name

Reagan— a sound-neighbor unisex girls' name

Keelan— another Irish unisex girls' name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Brennan mean?

Brennan is an Irish surname — 'a descendant of Braonan; a little teardrop'; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Brennan?

It's said BREN-ən /ˈbrɛn.ən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Brennan a boy or girl name?

Brennan is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Brennan?

Brennan is a rare name for girls in the U.S.