Declining since 2005, #1,152 for boys today.
Popularity of Braden since 1916
Babies named Braden per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 6 |
| 1920s | 19 |
| 1930s | 22 |
| 1940s | 44 |
| 1950s | 156 |
| 1960s | 271 |
| 1970s | 814 |
| 1980s | 2,343 |
| 1990s | 8,389 |
| 2000s | 24,071 |
| 2010s | 8,784 |
| 2020s | 1,316 |
Meaning & origin
Braden entered U.S. records in 1916, but remained obscure until the 1990s, when it surged as part of the 'ayden' naming trend. It reached its peak popularity in 2005, ranking 97th nationally. Since 2005, its usage has steadily declined; by 2025 it ranked 1152, with just 1 in 9334 male births. The name was most common in Maryland, Missouri, and Virginia during its peak. Despite the drop, Braden remains a classic example of the surname-to-given-name transition in American culture, blending Irish heritage with modern style.
Braden originated as an Irish surname from the Gaelic Ó Bradáin, meaning 'descendant of Bradán,' where Bradán itself means 'salmon.' The name was adopted as a given name in the United States, gaining popularity in the late 20th century alongside similar sounding names like Brayden and Caden. It first appeared on U.S. records in 1916, but remained rare until the 1990s.
Where Braden is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Brad, Brady
Sibling names for Braden
Names that share Braden's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Braden
Names whose popularity has moved with Braden's over the last 50 years.
