Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Brendan
BoyIrish, Welsh· “prince”
- Meaning
- prince
- Origin
- Irish, Welsh
- Pronunciation
- BREHN-duhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,098
- US babies 2025
- 195
- Best rank
- #96 (1999)
- Peak year
- 1999
Meaning and origin of Brendan
Brendan is an Irish and Welsh name that is usually said to mean “prince”.
Brendan comes from the Old Irish Bréanainn, which is usually traced to a Welsh word meaning prince. Its most famous bearer is Saint Brendan the Navigator, an Irish monk of the sixth century whose legendary sea voyage to a promised land in the western ocean was one of the most popular stories of the Middle Ages. The name has long been a favorite in Ireland and among Irish families abroad. Brendan feels friendly and dependable, with a strong Irish identity. Bren is a natural nickname, and Brenden and Brandon are related forms.
Other spellings with the same sound: Brenden, Brendon.
Popularity over time
Brendan first appears in US Social Security records in 1912. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 81 different years, starting in 1936. Its best national rank was #96 in 1999, the same year it reached its highest count of 3,995 babies. In 2025, 195 babies were named Brendan, and it ranked #1,098 nationally. That is 76% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,622 in 1920, #880 in 1950, #219 in 1980, #101 in 2000, #231 in 2010, and #1,098 in 2025. Of the 91,816 US boys named Brendan since records began, 31% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 25,836 babies. Since 2010, 10,527 more have been named Brendan.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Bryce, Jalen, Dalton, Spencer, and Tanner.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Brendan ranked highest in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Illinois.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | #449 | 6 |
| Massachusetts | #559 | 8 |
| Illinois | #575 | 16 |
| Virginia | #591 | 12 |
| New York | #642 | 23 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Brendan is usually pronounced BREHN-duhn, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with B and ends in “-an”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Brenden and Brendon.
Middle names for Brendan
A few middle names that flow with Brendan: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Brendan
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Lists that include Brendan
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Brendan mean?
Brendan is an Irish and Welsh name that is usually said to mean “prince”.
What is the origin of the name Brendan?
Brendan has Irish and Welsh roots. Brendan comes from the Old Irish Bréanainn, which is usually traced to a Welsh word meaning prince.
Is Brendan a popular name?
Not especially. Brendan ranked #1,098 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Brendan a boy or girl name?
Brendan is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Brendan?
Brendan is usually pronounced BREHN-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