Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Brandon
BoyOld English, English· “broom-covered hill”
- Meaning
- broom-covered hill
- Origin
- Old English, English
- Pronunciation
- BRAN-duhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #261
- US babies 2025
- 1,326
- Best rank
- #6 (1992)
- Peak year
- 1992
Meaning and origin of Brandon
Brandon is an Old English and English name that means “broom-covered hill”.
Brandon comes from an English surname taken from place names meaning "hill covered with broom", from the Old English brom, the shrub broom, and dun, "hill". Several villages in England carry the name. It is sometimes associated with the Irish Brendan, but the two have different origins. Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, was a close friend and brother-in-law of King Henry VIII. As a first name, Brandon became widely used in the United States in the late twentieth century and was a favorite for boys of that era. It sounds friendly and energetic, and Bran is an occasional nickname.
Other spellings with the same sound: Branden.
Popularity over time
Brandon first appears in US Social Security records in 1914. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 76 different years, starting in 1950. Its best national rank was #6 in 1992, the same year it reached its highest count of 29,628 babies. In 2025, 1,326 babies were named Brandon, and it ranked #261 nationally. That is 74% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,987 in 1920, #936 in 1950, #31 in 1980, #12 in 2000, #44 in 2010, and #261 in 2025. Of the 770,509 US boys named Brandon since records began, 34% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 232,206 babies. Since 2010, 64,905 more have been named Brandon.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Zachary, Alexander, and Cody.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Brandon ranked highest in Alabama, Louisiana, and South Carolina.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | #164 | 35 |
| Louisiana | #176 | 29 |
| South Carolina | #178 | 31 |
| Georgia | #200 | 61 |
| Delaware | #208 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Brandon is usually pronounced BRAN-duhn, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with B and ends in “-on”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Branden.
Middle names for Brandon
A few middle names that flow with Brandon: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Brandon
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Lists that include Brandon
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Brandon mean?
Brandon is an Old English and English name that means “broom-covered hill”.
What is the origin of the name Brandon?
Brandon has Old English and English roots. Brandon comes from an English surname taken from place names meaning "hill covered with broom", from the Old English brom, the shrub broom, and dun, "hill".
Is Brandon a popular name?
Yes. Brandon ranked #261 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Brandon a boy or girl name?
Brandon is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Brandon?
Brandon is usually pronounced BRAN-duhn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings