Brennan: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, and More

Fact: In literature, Brennan is sometimes used as a character name, such as in the works of authors like Kathy Reichs, who features a character named Temperance Brennan in her novels, which inspired the TV series “Bones.”

Brennan Overview

Meaning

Sorrow, brave, teardrop

Gender

Boy, Gender-Neutral

Origin

Irish, Gaelic

Etymology

Derived from the Irish surname “Ó Braonáin,” meaning “descendant of Braonán”

Pronunciation

/ˈbrɛnən/

Popularity

Brennan is moderately popular worldwide, often used in English-speaking countries. In the USA, it recently ranked around the 700th position for baby boy names.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

7 letters

Numerology

5 (Visionary, Expansive, Adventurous)

Name Styles

Traditional, Uncommon, Modern, Cool

Associated Traits

Strong, reliable, independent

Brennan Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Brenan, Brennen, Brendan

Common Nicknames

Bren, Benny

Diminutives

Ren

Famous People

Brennan Elliott
(Canadian, Actor)
Brennan Clost
(Canadian, Dancer and Actor)
Brennan Heart
(Dutch, DJ and Producer)
Brennan Mejia
(American, Actor)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

Brennan Huff
("Step Brothers," Film)
Dr. Temperance Brennan
("Bones," TV Series)
Brennan Savage
("Savage Youth," Film)
"Brennan's Law"
(Novel)
Brennan Delaney Mysteries
(Book Series)
"Brennan's War"
(Novel)
Brennan Caldwell Adventures
(Book Series)

Places

Brennan Park
(New South Wales, Australia)
Brennan Beach
(New York, USA)
Brennan Field
(Illinois, USA)
Brennan Park Recreation Centre
(British Columbia, Canada)

What Is the Meaning of Brennan?

The name Brennan, of Irish origin, carries the meanings of “sorrow,” “brave,” and “teardrop.” It is derived from the Gaelic word “Braonán,” reflecting sorrow, and “braon,” symbolizing bravery. Brennan evokes a sense of emotion and strength, making it a popular masculine name.

What Is the Origin of The Name Brennan?

Brennan originates from Ireland and is of Gaelic origin. It is derived from the Irish surname Ó Braonáin. The name has a rich history in Irish culture and is associated with families of noble descent.

Brennan Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Brennan in the U.S. over the Years

United States	#9942022	#10212023
Top 3 Rankings	#2422009	#2632008	#2701999

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Brennan

Year	Name Ranking	Number of Births	Birth Rate (%)
2023	1021 (-27 from 2022)	212 (-12 from 2022)	0.01158
2022	994 (-124 from 2021)	224 (-41 from 2021)	0.01196
2021	870 (-104 from 2020)	265 (-49 from 2020)	0.01414
2020	766 (-47 from 2019)	314 (-25 from 2019)	0.01698
2019	719 (-58 from 2018)	339 (-43 from 2018)	0.01764
2018	661 (-76 from 2017)	382 (-82 from 2017)	0.01965
2017	585 (-51 from 2016)	464 (-85 from 2016)	0.02344
2016	534 (-90 from 2015)	549 (-141 from 2015)	0.02710
2015	444 (-57 from 2014)	690 (-116 from 2014)	0.03375
2014	387 (-42 from 2013)	806 (-121 from 2013)	0.03933
2013	345 (-27 from 2012)	927 (-84 from 2012)	0.04588
2012	318 (-25 from 2011)	1011 (-166 from 2011)	0.04982
2011	293 (-23 from 2010)	1177 (-102 from 2010)	0.05794
2010	270 (-28 from 2009)	1279 (-185 from 2009)	0.06226
2009	242 (+21 from 2008)	1464 (+148 from 2008)	0.06903
2008	263 (+23 from 2007)	1316 (+109 from 2007)	0.06036
2007	286 (+13 from 2006)	1207 (+92 from 2006)	0.05449
2006	299 (+13 from 2005)	1115 (+61 from 2005)	0.05086
2005	312 (-12 from 2004)	1054 (-7 from 2004)	0.04955
2004	300 (-24 from 2003)	1061 (-66 from 2003)	0.05020
2003	276 (-3 from 2002)	1127 (+6 from 2002)	0.05364
2002	273 (+1 from 2001)	1121 No change from 2001	0.05424
2001	274 (+2 from 2000)	1121 (-37 from 2000)	0.05420
2000	276 (-6 from 1999)	1158 (+52 from 1999)	0.05545
1999	270 (+4 from 1998)	1106 (+55 from 1998)	0.05424
1998	274 (+14 from 1997)	1051 (+84 from 1997)	0.05183
1997	288 (+9 from 1996)	967 (+72 from 1996)	0.04840
1996	297 (-9 from 1995)	895 (-21 from 1995)	0.04467
1995	288 (+41 from 1994)	916 (+160 from 1994)	0.04554
1994	329 (+27 from 1993)	756 (+93 from 1993)	0.03709
1993	356 (+12 from 1992)	663 (+21 from 1992)	0.03210
1992	368 (-22 from 1991)	642 (-56 from 1991)	0.03058
1991	346 (+36 from 1990)	698 (+92 from 1990)	0.03293
1990	382 (+64 from 1989)	606 (+161 from 1989)	0.02816
1989	446 (-25 from 1988)	445 (-15 from 1988)	0.02123
1988	421 (+7 from 1987)	460 (+38 from 1987)	0.02297
1987	428 (+93 from 1986)	422 (+130 from 1986)	0.02164
1986	521 (+32 from 1985)	292 (+39 from 1985)	0.01519
1985	553 (+9 from 1984)	253 (+21 from 1984)	0.01315
1984	562 (+71 from 1983)	232 (+50 from 1983)	0.01236
1983	633 (+73 from 1982)	182 (+30 from 1982)	0.00977
1982	706 (+29 from 1981)	152 (+13 from 1981)	0.00805
1981	735 (+1 from 1980)	139 (-3 from 1980)	0.00746
1980	736 (+4 from 1979)	142 (+6 from 1979)	0.00766
1979	740 (+20 from 1978)	136 (+13 from 1978)	0.00759
1978	760 (+59 from 1977)	123 (+15 from 1977)	0.00720
1977	819 (+19 from 1976)	108 (+9 from 1976)	0.00632
1976	838 (-16 from 1975)	99 (-3 from 1975)	0.00606
1975	822 (+27 from 1974)	102 (+13 from 1974)	0.00629
1974	849 (+122 from 1973)	89 (+20 from 1973)	0.00546
1973	971 (+98 from 1972)	69 (+12 from 1972)	0.00428
1972	1069 (-149 from 1971)	57 (-21 from 1971)	0.00340
1971	920 (+10 from 1970)	78 (+5 from 1970)	0.00429
1970	930 (+13 from 1969)	73 (+7 from 1969)	0.00383
1969	943 (+15 from 1968)	66 (+8 from 1968)	0.00361
1968	958 (+34 from 1967)	58 (+5 from 1967)	0.00327
1967	992 (+6 from 1966)	53 No change from 1966	0.00298
1966	998 (+273 from 1965)	53 (+17 from 1965)	0.00292
1965	1271 (+163 from 1964)	36 (+6 from 1964)	0.00190
1964	1434 (-59 from 1963)	30 (-2 from 1963)	0.00148
1963	1375 (+251 from 1962)	32 (+8 from 1962)	0.00155
1962	1626 (-22 from 1961)	24 (-1 from 1961)	0.00114
1961	1604 (+366 from 1960)	25 (+8 from 1960)	0.00116
1960	1970 (+558 from 1959)	17 (+6 from 1959)	0.00079
1959	2528 (-351 from 1958)	11 (-3 from 1958)	0.00051
1958	2177 (+645 from 1957)	14 (+5 from 1957)	0.00065
1957	2822 (-324 from 1956)	9 (-2 from 1956)	0.00041
1956	2498 (+62 from 1955)	11 (+1 from 1955)	0.00051
1955	2560 (+382 from 1954)	10 (+2 from 1954)	0.00048
1954	2942 (+481 from 1953)	8 (+2 from 1953)	0.00039
1953	3423 (+291 from 1951)	6 (+1 from 1951)	0.00030
1952	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1951	3714 (-385 from 1950)	5 (-1 from 1950)	0.00026
1950	3329 (-31 from 1949)	6 No change from 1949	0.00033
1949	3298 (+600 from 1916)	6 (+1 from 1916)	0.00033
1948	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1947	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1946	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1945	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1944	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1943	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1942	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1941	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1940	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1939	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1938	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1937	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1936	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1935	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1934	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1933	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1932	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1931	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1930	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1929	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1928	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1927	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1926	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1925	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1924	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1923	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1922	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1921	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1920	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1919	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1918	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1917	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1916	3898 First SSA data recorded	5 First SSA data recorded	0.00054
1915	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1914	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1913	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1912	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1911	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1910	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1909	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1908	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1907	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1906	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1905	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1904	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1903	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1902	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1901	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1900	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1899	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1898	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1897	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1896	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1895	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1894	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1893	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1892	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1891	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1890	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1889	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1888	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1887	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1886	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1885	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1884	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1883	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1882	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1881	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000
1880	0 No SSA data	0 No SSA data	0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Brennan

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

#10082021

#11952022

#13732023

Texas (TX)

#9272021

#9752022

#11192023

Louisiana (LA)

#3712021

#3602022

#4862023

Ohio (OH)

#7522021

#5582022

#11512023

Michigan (MI)

#8802019

#6662020

#11412022

Pennsylvania (PA)

#6152021

#6722022

#7392023

New York (NY)

#12422021

#13332022

#12262023

Illinois (IL)

#5892021

#6772022

#13142023

Florida (FL)

#12362021

#10652022

#13592023

Missouri (MO)

#6982019

#8462020

#6182023

Virginia (VA)

#8452021

#10992022

#5842023

Tennessee (TN)

#9142021

#8382022

#4832023

Wisconsin (WI)

#4092016

#4542017

#4952019

Indiana (IN)

#5552020

#8582021

#9712022

Washington (WA)

#6142020

#9992021

#10022023

North Carolina (NC)

#10792020

#5042021

#10522022

Minnesota (MN)

#5132018

#5132021

#7462022

Georgia (GA)

#7712020

#10672021

#9342022

Kentucky (KY)

#4332019

#6672020

#6052022

Massachusetts (MA)

#5942019

#4492020

#6022021

Maryland (MD)

#5832020

#8262021

#7092023

Arizona (AZ)

#7312018

#7452019

#8372023

Colorado (CO)

#7942018

#8102020

#8282021

Utah (UT)

#5072014

#6232016

#6002018

New Jersey (NJ)

#7322020

#8262021

#8392023

Iowa (IA)

#4592015

#5722017

#5802021

Oregon (OR)

#4612015

#4612016

#5492018

Mississippi (MS)

#3802021

#5472022

#4682023

Alabama (AL)

#7472018

#4282019

#7732021

Oklahoma (OK)

#6832019

#6952020

#5442022

Kansas (KS)

#5102014

#4652015

#3572016

Arkansas (AR)

#4032016

#5572019

#5512020

South Carolina (SC)

#5412018

#6142019

#7052020

Connecticut (CT)

#3022015

#4122016

#3322018

Nebraska (NE)

#3472013

#3172015

#4522016

Idaho (ID)

#4022012

#3512013

#4002016

Hawaii (HI)

#1172012

#2922013

#2452016

West Virginia (WV)

#2172016

#3522018

#3442023

New Hampshire (NH)

#2152014

#1722015

#2332016

Nevada (NV)

#4012014

#5112017

#5192018

New Mexico (NM)

#3722008

#3682009

#3422014

Montana (MT)

#2492008

#1832010

#2472012

Maine (ME)

#1752008

#1262009

#1122011

South Dakota (SD)

#2252006

#2232008

#2282010

Rhode Island (RI)

#1852007

#1702012

#2022014

Alaska (AK)

#1862003

#1882006

#1562009

North Dakota (ND)

#1301995

#1472002

#962010

Delaware (DE)

#1832004

#1052008

#1912009

Vermont (VT)

#1221989

#1241997

#1211998

District of Columbia (DC)

#2272010

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Brennan a Name for Boys or Girls?

Brennan is a unisex name, meaning it can be used for both boys and girls. In recent years, it has become more popular as a masculine name in English-speaking countries, but it remains versatile and can suit anyone regardless of gender.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Brennan

Brenan
Brennen
Brendan

Brennan in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

Brennan Elliott (Actor, born 1975): A Canadian actor known for his work in television series like "Strong Medicine" and Hallmark movies.
Brennan Clost (Dancer and Actor, born 1994): A Canadian dancer and actor who gained recognition for his role in the TV series "The Next Step."
Brennan Heart (DJ and Producer, born 1982): A Dutch DJ and music producer specializing in hardstyle music, known for his high-energy performances and productions.
Brennan Mejia (Actor, born 1990): An American actor best known for playing the Red Ranger in "Power Rangers Dino Charge."

Brendan
Braden
Meaning: Broom-covered hill, beacon hill
Origin: Old English, Old IrishBrandon
Meaning: Sorrow, brave, teardrop
Origin: Irish, GaelicBrennan
Brenner
Meaning: Blessed, well-spoken
Origin: English, LatinBennett
Bronson
Brecken
Meaning: Broad valley, wise, broad
Origin: Irish, English, ScottishBrayden
Branson

Sibling Names for Brennan

For a Brother
For a Sister

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Brennan is both unique and meaningful. Share your views and find more names to consider on my website!

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Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator

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2. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

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Brennan Name Meaning