Brave Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name 'Brave' originates from Middle English, meaning courageous and bold. It evolved from Old French and Latin roots. The term is often associated with heroic traits and has no biblical relevance. It gained popularity during the 14th century and remains a positive descriptor in modern usage.
The name Brave is most popular in Texas, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West 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, Brave has been 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 Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Brave' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 13079th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3255th out of 23106 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 8567th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Brave' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Brave"
Pronunciation
/breɪv/
Origin
Middle English
Etymology
The word 'brave' comes from the Middle English 'brave,' which is derived from the Old French 'brave,' meaning 'bold, courageous.' This, in turn, comes from the Latin 'bravus,' which means 'wild' or 'savage.'
Meaning
courageous, bold, strong
Language Evolution
Old French: brave, Middle English: brave, Modern English: brave
Historical Usage
The term gained popularity in the English language during the 14th century as it was used in literature to describe valiant characters and heroic figures.
Variants & Derivatives
bravely, bravery
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the word 'brave' is associated with positive traits such as courage and resilience. It is often used in motivational contexts and is seen favorably in popular culture.
Famous People
Braveheart (William Wallace), Brave (Disney film featuring Merida)
Explore More Brave Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Brave"
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 "Brave"
"Brave" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 13079th of 24088 | 46 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3255th of 23106 | 423 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 8567th of 30306 | 150 |
Regional Popularity of "Brave" 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) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- |
79.30% 3558th/4487 |
50.26% 3429th/6822 |
49.52% 3108th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Brave" 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 "Brave"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Brave" 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.