Brendan - name meaning, origin

The boy's name Brendan \b-ren-

is pronounced BREN-den. It is of Irish, Gaelic and Celtic origin, and its meaning is "prince". From the old Irish personal name Bréanainn. Saint Brendan of Ireland (sixth century), known as "the Voyager", is famed for his scholarship and adventurous traveling, including a seven-year voyage to a land that some think may have been North America. Brendan of Birr was another sixth-century Irish saint. The modern Irish Gaelic form Breandán and the Anglicised form Brendan are based on the medieval Latin form Brendanus. Irish playwright and wit, Brendan Behan; actor Brendan Fraser.

For more information, see also the related name Brandon.

Baby names that sound like Brendan are Brandan and Brentan.

Brendan is a very common first name for men (#482 out of 1220) but an uncommon last name for both men and women. (1990 U.S. Census)

Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the boy name Brendan. Compare Brendan with its variant forms and related boy names.