Declining since 1993, #3,314 for boys today.
Popularity of Branden since 1959
Babies named Branden per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 152 |
| 1970s | 1,737 |
| 1980s | 7,415 |
| 1990s | 9,684 |
| 2000s | 6,200 |
| 2010s | 2,021 |
| 2020s | 323 |
Meaning & origin
Branden is a respelling of Brandon, a name that rose sharply in popularity during the late 20th century. While the standard Brandon peaked at rank 6 in 1992, the Branden variant reached its own peak in the same year but never entered the top 500. Since 1993, its usage has been steadily falling; in 2025 it ranked 3,314th, with approximately 1 in 48,802 newborns receiving the name. The variant has been most concentrated in California, reflecting regional preference for modified spellings. Branden remains a recognizable alternative to Brandon, though its decline mirrors broader trends away from once-fashionable -en ending names.
Branden is a variant spelling of Brandon, an English surname that originated from various place names in England. These place names are composed of the Old English elements 'brōm' (broom, a shrub) and 'dūn' (hill), meaning 'hill where broom grows'. As a given name, Brandon emerged in the mid-20th century and became popular, with Branden following as a respelling.
Where Branden 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: Bran, Bren, Denny
Sibling names for Branden
Names that share Branden's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Branden
Names whose popularity has moved with Branden's over the last 50 years.
