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Home › Baby Names Directory › Brennan

Brennan

♂ Boy

Pronounced BREN-un /ˈbrɛn.ən/High

Meaning: Sorrow; teardrop; from Irish Gaelic Ó Braonáin (descendant of Braonán, from braon: teardrop, sorrow)High

In 30 seconds: An Irish Gaelic surname name meaning 'sorrow' or 'teardrop,' from braon. Despite this melancholy etymology, it has a bright, breezy sound — proving that a name's meaning and its feel can be entirely different things.
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Origin HighIrish
MeaningSorrow; teardrop; from Irish Gaelic Ó Braonáin (descendant of Braonán, from braon: teardrop, sorrow)
U.S. rank (2025)#1003 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births226 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2009
Total births (all-time)≈ 33,258

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200919162025

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 anglicizes the Irish Gaelic surname Ó Braonáin (descendant of Braonán), from braon (teardrop, drop of rain, sorrow). As a given name it has been used in Irish and Irish American communities.

Brennan entered U.S. boys' charts in the mid-20th century and has been popular. It ranked #1054 for boys in 2024.

Did you know? Ireland's tradition of keening — ritual lamentation for the dead — is one of the most ancient cultural practices on the island. The word braon (teardrop) at the root of Brennan connects this name to this ancient mourning tradition.
Overall data confidence 87%
Behind the Name — Brennan — Irish Gaelic etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

BrannonBrenen

Nicknames

Bren

Famous Bearers

  • ★Brennan Elliott (1975-)
    Canadian actor known for Hallmark Channel films and the series Strong Medicine
  • ★Brennan Boesch (1985-)
    American former Major League Baseball outfielder
  • ★Brennan Brown (1968-)
    American film, television and stage actor

If you like Brennan…

Brendan— Irish saint name with the same Bren- opening and Celtic heritage
Braxton— Br- opening masculine name with the same confident character
Callum— Scottish Gaelic name with the same easy two-syllable Celtic quality
Duncan— another Irish name
Keenan— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Brennan

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Brennan mean?

Brennan means 'teardrop' or 'sorrow,' from Irish Gaelic Ó Braonáin (descendant of Braonán, from braon: teardrop).

How do you pronounce Brennan?

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

Is Brennan a boy or girl name?

Brennan is used as a boys' name.

How popular is Brennan?

Brennan ranked #1054 for U.S. boys in 2024.

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