Brandan Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Brandan is an Irish name meaning 'prince' or 'descendant of Braonán', derived from the Old Irish 'Bréanainn'. It evolved through several historical forms and is associated with strong traits of leadership. There is no biblical background linked to the name. Its popularity surged due to St. Brendan, a significant figure in Irish history. Today, Brandan is regarded as a modern name with a connection to adventure and strength.
The name Brandan is most popular in Ohio, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Millennials (Gen Y) generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Brandan has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Brandan' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4193rd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1489th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 723rd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1299th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 5339th out of 23106 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 10438th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 13143rd out of 27321 names. Discover how the name 'Brandan' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Brandan"
Pronunciation
/ˈbrændən/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
The name Brandan is derived from the Old Irish name 'Bréanainn', which is believed to mean 'prince' or 'descendant of Braonán'. It is often associated with the Latin word 'branda', meaning 'sword'.
Meaning
prince, descendant of Braonán
Language Evolution
Bréanainn (Old Irish), Brendanus (Latin), Brendan (Middle English), Brandan (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity due to St. Brendan, a 6th-century Irish monk known for his legendary voyages and missionary work. It became common in Ireland and later spread to England.
Variants & Derivatives
Brendan, Brendanus, Brendyn, Bran, Branndon
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Brandan is perceived as a unique and modern name, often associated with strength and adventure due to its historical roots.
Famous People
St. Brendan the Navigator, Brandan Wright (basketball player), Brandan Schaefer (artist)
Explore More Brandan Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Brandan"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Brandan"
"Brandan" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4193rd of 7552 | 61 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1489th of 10718 | 542 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 723rd of 16616 | 2,986 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1299th of 24088 | 1,874 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 5339th of 23106 | 207 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 10438th of 19264 | 41 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 13143rd of 27321 | 55 |
Regional Popularity of "Brandan" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
43.85% 1288th/2937 |
60.24% 2098th/3483 |
50.88% 1790th/3518 |
36.97% 1495th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
16.55% 610th/3685 |
14.95% 669th/4475 |
16.98% 882nd/5194 |
12.66% 800th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
25.23% 1156th/4582 |
19.31% 997th/5164 |
21.55% 1576th/7313 |
21.59% 1611th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - |
68.96% 4328th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Brandan" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Brandan"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Brandan" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.