Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Brayden
BoyIrish, American (modern coinage)· “modern form of Braden; salmon”
- Meaning
- modern form of Braden; salmon
- Origin
- Irish, American (modern coinage)
- Pronunciation
- BRAY-duhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #229
- US babies 2025
- 1,545
- Best rank
- #36 (2011)
- Peak year
- 2010
Meaning and origin of Brayden
Brayden is an Irish and American (modern coinage) name that is usually said to mean “modern form of Braden; salmon”.
Brayden is a modern spelling of Braden, which comes from the Irish surname Ó Bradáin, "descendant of Bradán". The personal name Bradán is the Irish word for "salmon", a fish linked in Irish legend with wisdom. Some also connect Braden with an English place name meaning "broad valley". The spelling Brayden emerged in the United States in the late twentieth century and grew quickly, riding the popularity of rhyming names like Aiden, Jayden and Caden. It sounds friendly and energetic. Bray is a possible nickname, and Braden and Braeden are related spellings.
Popularity over time
Brayden first appears in US Social Security records in 1970. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 35 different years, starting in 1991. Its best national rank was #36 in 2011, and the most babies received it in 2010, when 9,122 were named Brayden. In 2025, 1,545 babies were named Brayden, and it ranked #229 nationally. That is 75% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #3,279 in 1980, #199 in 2000, #40 in 2010, and #229 in 2025. Of the 136,548 US boys named Brayden since records began, 48% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 50,382 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Landon, Jeremiah, Chase, Elijah, and Max.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Brayden ranked highest in Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Mississippi.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | #106 | 9 |
| Massachusetts | #130 | 54 |
| Mississippi | #144 | 22 |
| West Virginia | #147 | 13 |
| South Carolina | #152 | 38 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Brayden is usually pronounced BRAY-duhn, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with B and ends in “-en”.
Middle names for Brayden
A few middle names that flow with Brayden: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Brayden
Similar names
Ayden Boy
AY-dihn
“little fire” · American (modern coinage)
#257
Kayden Boy
KAY-dihn
“modern coinage related to Caden” · American (modern coinage)
#135
Caden Boy
KAY-dihn
“modern name; possibly from an Irish surname” · American (modern coinage)
#201
Kaden Boy
KAY-dihn
“modern name; possibly from an Irish surname” · American (modern coinage)
#328
Kaiden Boy
KAY-duhn
“modern form of Caden” · American (modern coinage)
#237
Cayden Boy
KAY-duhn
“modern form of Caden” · American (modern coinage)
#414
Calen Boy
KAY-luhn
“uncertain, possibly variant of Caelan” · American (modern coinage)
#3,323
Jaden Boy
JAY-dihn
“modern coinage; possibly from biblical Jadon” · American (modern coinage)
#421
Zayden Boy
ZAY-duhn
“modern variant of Jayden” · American (modern coinage)
#214
Jaiden Boy
JAY-duhn
“modern blend of Jay and Aiden” · American (modern coinage)
#618
Jaylen Boy
JAY-lin
“blend of Jay and Len” · American (modern coinage)
#361
Caiden Boy
KAY-duhn
“uncertain; modern variant of Kaden” · American (modern coinage)
#602
Lists that include Brayden
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Brayden mean?
Brayden is an Irish and American (modern coinage) name that is usually said to mean “modern form of Braden; salmon”.
What is the origin of the name Brayden?
Brayden has Irish and modern American roots. Brayden is a modern spelling of Braden, which comes from the Irish surname Ó Bradáin, "descendant of Bradán".
Is Brayden a popular name?
Yes. Brayden ranked #229 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Brayden a boy or girl name?
Brayden is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Brayden?
Brayden is usually pronounced BRAY-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