Brendan
Meaning of Brendan
Brendan, pronounced BREN-dən in English and BREND-awn in Irish, represents the modern Anglicisation of the Early Irish Bréanainn, a name that most scholars trace to the Old Welsh or Brythonic *breenhin* denoting “prince,” though a minority root it in the proto-Celtic element *brano* (“raven”). Its cultural profile is indelibly linked to Saint Brendan the Navigator, the sixth-century Kerry monk whose legendary Atlantic voyage secured him a place in both hagiography and medieval cartography; through his cult, the name diffused across the Gaelic world before crossing into Anglo-American usage. In the United States it remained statistically marginal until the post-war period, but a steady climb after 1960 culminated in a peak at rank 96 in 1999, after which its popularity has declined gradually to position 704 in 2024, reflecting a broader diversification of contemporary naming practices. Today Brendan carries connotations of exploratory spirit tempered by ecclesiastical tradition, offering parents a historically resonant yet still approachable choice that bridges Celtic heritage and mainstream English phonology.
Pronunciation
American English
- Pronunced as BREN-dən (/ˈbrɛndən/)
Irish Gaelic
- Pronunced as BREND-awn (/brɛnd̪ˠaun/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Brendan
| Brendan Rodgers is the Northern Irish manager of Scottish Premiership club Celtic. |
| Brendan the Navigator - Brendan of Clonfert is an early Irish saint celebrated for his legendary voyage in search of the Isle of the Blessed. |
| Irish writer and activist Brendan Behan's alcoholism impaired his creativity and contributed to his premature death. |
| Brendan Fraser is an actor known for his breakout roles in early comedies, the Mummy trilogy, and diverse performances in drama and fantasy films. |
| Brendan O'Connor is an Irish media personality renowned for hosting RTÉ's Cutting Edge and contributing as a columnist and editor for the Sunday Independent. |
| Brendan Schaub is a former UFC fighter who now hosts popular podcasts and performs stand-up comedy. |
| Brendan Andolsek Bradley is an American actor and performer renowned for playing Guy in Staples commercials and working on over 100 media projects. |
| Brendan Gleeson is an award-winning Irish actor and the father of actors Domhnall and Brian Gleeson. |
| Brendan Grace was an Irish comedian and singer best known for his role in Father Ted and the hit song "The Combine Harvester." |
| Brendan O'Connell is an American artist renowned for his impressionist paintings of Walmart interiors, earning him the title "America's Brand Name Painter" from Time. |
