Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Breanna
GirlIrish, American (modern coinage)· “feminine form of Brian”
- Meaning
- feminine form of Brian
- Origin
- Irish, American (modern coinage)
- Pronunciation
- bree-AN-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,548
- US babies 2025
- 69
- Best rank
- #74 (1996)
- Peak year
- 1996
Meaning and origin of Breanna
Breanna is an Irish and American (modern coinage) name that is usually said to mean “feminine form of Brian”.
Breanna is a modern variant of Brianna, which was created as a feminine form of Brian. Brian is an old Irish name, borne by the famous high king Brian Boru, and it is often linked to a Celtic word meaning high or noble, though the meaning is not certain. Brianna and its spellings became popular in the United States in the late twentieth century, and Breanna is one of the most common alternatives. The name has a bright, lively sound and a friendly nickname, Bree. It suits parents who like an Irish echo with a contemporary American feel.
Popularity over time
Breanna first appears in US Social Security records in 1965. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 39 different years, starting in 1979. Its best national rank was #74 in 1996, the same year it reached its highest count of 4,701 babies. In 2025, 69 babies were named Breanna, and it ranked #2,548 nationally. That is 84% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #628 in 1980, #80 in 2000, #250 in 2010, and #2,548 in 2025. Of the 82,375 US girls named Breanna since records began, 49% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 28,029 babies. Since 2010, 6,441 more have been named Breanna.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Cheyenne, Mariah, Selena, Kaitlin, and Sabrina.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Breanna ranked highest in California and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #1593 | 14 |
| Texas | #2988 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Breanna is usually pronounced bree-AN-uh, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with B and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Breanna
A few middle names that flow with Breanna: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Breanna
Similar names
Brenna Girl
BREH-nuh
Irish
#1,846
Riana Girl
ree-AN-uh
“possibly short for Briana or Adriana” · American (modern coinage)
#5,199
Ayanna Girl
eye-AH-nuh
“modern name of uncertain origin” · American (modern coinage)
#1,368
Laina Girl
LAY-nuh
“modern name of uncertain origin” · American (modern coinage)
#2,422
Leana Girl
lee-AH-nuh
“variant of Liana or Leanne” · American (modern coinage)
#2,424
Oona Girl
OO-nuh
“from Irish Úna, possibly lamb or unity” · Irish
#2,768
Vianna Girl
vee-AN-uh
“uncertain; perhaps a blend of Vi and Anna” · American (modern coinage)
#3,026
Keona Girl
kee-OH-nuh
“modern name, meaning uncertain” · American (modern coinage)
#3,188
Makenna Girl
muh-KEN-uh
“son of Cionaodh” · Irish
#593
Kailey Girl
KAY-lee
“modern spelling of Kayleigh” · American (modern coinage)
#1,420
Tiana Girl
tee-AH-nuh
“short form of Christiana or Tatiana” · American (modern coinage)
#598
Shayla Girl
SHAY-luh
“modern name; uncertain origin” · American (modern coinage)
#1,793
Lists that include Breanna
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Breanna mean?
Breanna is an Irish and American (modern coinage) name that is usually said to mean “feminine form of Brian”.
What is the origin of the name Breanna?
Breanna has Irish and modern American roots. Breanna is a modern variant of Brianna, which was created as a feminine form of Brian.
Is Breanna a popular name?
Not especially. Breanna ranked #2,548 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Breanna a boy or girl name?
Breanna is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Breanna?
Breanna is usually pronounced bree-AN-uh. 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