Holding steady.
Popularity of Brand since 1948
Babies named Brand per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1953, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Brand's real moment was 1973.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1940s | 0 | 5 |
| 1950s | 0 | 48 |
| 1960s | 0 | 16 |
| 1970s | 6 | 50 |
| 1980s | 12 | 52 |
| 1990s | 0 | 33 |
| 2000s | 0 | 26 |
| 2010s | 0 | 45 |
| 2020s | 0 | 14 |
Meaning & origin
Brand is a rare masculine name with Scandinavian roots, first recorded in U.S. data in 1948. It reached its peak popularity in 1973, reflecting a modest mid-century revival of Old Norse names. Since then, its usage has remained stable but very uncommon, never entering the top 1,000. The name's meaning, 'sword' or 'firebrand', connects it to a strong, martial tradition, but it has not seen a resurgence in recent decades. Its simple, one-syllable sound and spelling make it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with historical depth and modern brevity.
Brand originates from the Old Norse 'brandr', which referred to a sword or a burning piece of wood, a firebrand. It was used as a personal name in medieval Scandinavia and also appeared as a short form of compound names such as Brandulf. In England, it was introduced by Scandinavian settlers and later revived as a given name in the 20th century, sometimes influenced by the English word 'brand'.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Brandt
Sibling names for Brand
Names that share Brand's style, for a brother or sister.
