Declining since 1985, #261 for boys today.
Popularity of Brandon since 1914
Babies named Brandon per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1992, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Brandon's real moment was 1985.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 74 |
| 1920s | 125 |
| 1930s | 86 |
| 1940s | 192 |
| 1950s | 1,175 |
| 1960s | 4,276 |
| 1970s | 65,047 |
| 1980s | 232,206 |
| 1990s | 259,420 |
| 2000s | 143,003 |
| 2010s | 54,128 |
| 2020s | 10,777 |
Meaning & origin
Brandon is an English name that originated as a surname before transitioning into regular use as a given name in the mid-20th century. Its popularity surged rapidly, achieving its peak rank of 1985 in the year 1985, reflecting a sharp rise that echoed the broader trend of surname-based first names during that era. By 2025, the name had fallen to rank 261, with about 1 in 1,288 baby boys receiving the name, a significant decline from its former heights. The name still retains the most familiarity in states like Delaware, Alabama, and Louisiana, where it appears among the top states for usage. This trajectory illustrates a classic falling path, once a top favorite that has now settled into more moderate use. Despite its diminished frequency, Brandon remains a recognizable choice, emblematic of 1980s naming patterns that favored two-syllable, surname-style names for boys.
Brandon is a transferred use of an English surname that originated as a locational name for someone from any of several places in England named Brandon, such as in Durham, Northumberland, Suffolk, and Warwickshire. These place names derive from the Old English elements 'brōm' meaning 'broom' (a type of shrub) and 'dūn' meaning 'hill'. The use of Brandon as a given name began in the mid-20th century in the United States and rapidly gained popularity, peaking in the 1990s. Its adoption may have been influenced by the surname-turned-first-name trend and its similarity to popular names like Brendan and Brian.
Where Brandon 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.
“Brandon” around the world
Where Brandon lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
35
babies in 2024
Ireland
4
babies in 2025
Quebec
9
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Brandy, Bran, Don, B
Sibling names for Brandon
Names that share Brandon's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Brittany, Amanda, Heather, Stephanie, Megan, Alexis, Alyson, Amber, Angelia, Ashley, Breanna, Brianna, Brittney, Candice, Carissa, Carly, Cassie, Chasity, Chelsea, Cierra, Crystal, Haley, Jessica, Kaitlyn, Kayla, Kelsey, Kendra, Krystal, Lacey, Lauryn, Lindsay, Lindsey, Marissa, Meagan, Mikayla, Shelby, Tiara, Tiffany, Whitney, Aleesha, Alexus, Alishia, Allyson, Allyssa, Alysha, Alyssia, Amberly, Ashely, Ashlee, Ashleigh, Ashli, Ashlie, Ashly, Brandee, Brandie, Breana, Breann, Breanne, Britany, Britney, Britny, Brittani, Britteny, Brittni, Brittnie, Bryana, Caitlyn, Carisa, Carlee, Carleigh, Carley, Cayla, Chantel, Chelsey, Chelsie, Cheyanne, Chrystal, Ciera, Cortney, Desirae, Destini, Jaimee, Jalisa, Janessa, Jasmyn, Jayme, Jenelle, Jenessa, Jessi, Jordin, Kaitlynn, Kalyn, Kandace, Kandice, Karissa, Kasie, Kassie, Katelyn, Katelynn, Katlin, Katlyn, Kaytlyn, Kelsi, Kimberley, Kimberli, Kortney, Kourtney, Kristal, Krysta, Krystle, Kyrsten, Lacee, Lesly, Linsey, Loryn, Lyndsey, Lynsey, Maegan, Melaney, Melonie, Micayla, Nikole, Rashell, Shelbie, Sherlyn, Tawni, Tayler, Tiffani, Tiffanie, Tiffini, Tori, Trista, Vannesa, Yoselin, Aleisha, Aleshia, Alexsis, Alexzandra, Allisa, Allissa, Allysa, Alyshia, Amberlee, Amberlynn, Ashlea, Ashlei, Aundrea, Breauna, Breeann, Breyanna, Briann, Brianne, Briauna, Brissa, Britani, Britnee, Britni, Brittan, Brittaney, Brittanie, Brittnay, Brittnee, Brittny, Cassaundra, Cassey, Cassondra, Chanell, Channel, Chantell, Charmayne, Chelsee, Chelsi, Cheyann, Chyanne, Ciarra, Courtnee, Courtnie, Desarae, Deserae, Desiray, Destine, Diandra, Jaclynn, Jalynn, Jasmyne, Jaymi, Jenae, Jenee, Jenell, Jenica, Jennica, Jerica, Jerrica, Jesica, Jesika, Jesseca, Jessyca, Joshlyn, Kandra, Karlyn, Katlynn, Kaylea, Kaylene, Kaytlin, Keanna, Kelsy, Kemberly, Keyanna, Kimberlie, Kimberlyn, Kindra, Krislyn, Kristel, Krysten, Krystin, Kymberly, Kyndra, Leeanna, Leighanne, Leisha, Lindsy, Lyndee, Lyndsie, Mackayla, Malisa, Malorie, Marleny, Marrissa, Mekayla, Melannie, Melissia, Melyssa, Merissa, Mikala, Mykala, Mykayla, Myriah, Nichol, Nicholle, Raeanne, Rayann, Rayanne, Raychel, Shalynn, Shanee, Shannel, Shaunda, Shyanna, Tandra, Tashina, Tausha, Teanna, Terrica, Teryn, Tiffaney, Tracee, Tytiana, Vannessa, Whittney, Yessica, Ahsley, Alacia, Alanda, Alexiss, Alexyss, Aliesha, Alisyn, Allexis, Allicia, Allyse, Alyissa, Alyssah, Angelynn, Anjela, Aricka, Asheley, Ashle, Ashliegh, Ashlye, Banessa, Bethaney, Brandalyn, Brandice, Brandilyn, Brandis, Breahna, Breaunna, Breianna, Brianah, Brianca, Briaunna, Brieana, Britanie, Britanny, Brithany, Britnie, Brittainy, Brittanee, Brittanny, Brittiany, Brittini, Brittiny, Bryann, Carrisa, Casaundra, Casondra, Catelynn, Catlyn, Channell, Charelle, Charnelle, Chelsa, Chelsae, Chelsia, Chrislyn, Chrislynn, Christle, Christyn, Chrysta, Cortnee, Cortni, Cortnie, Courteney, Courtni, Courtny, Crissa, Crystalyn, Crystina, Crystle, Cyrstal, Dannica, Dareen, Darrielle, Delissa, Denelle, Derika, Deseray, Dezaray, Dezerae, Dezeray, Eboney, Ericca, Errin, Estephany, Hollee, Jacqlyn, Jaimy, Jakeline, Jamielee, Jamielynn, Jamye, Jeimy, Jelissa, Jenay, Jenilee, Jennalyn, Jennelle, Jennessa, Jennilee, Jericka, Jerrika, Jessalynn, Jessilyn, Jesslynn, Jessyka, Jilian, Johnae, Jolissa, Jordanna, Jordanne, Joycelynn, Joylynn, Kabrina, Kaetlyn, Kaitlynne, Kalene, Kamie, Karalee, Karrah, Karyssa, Kasaundra, Kasondra, Kassaundra, Kassondra, Kateland, Kaylynne, Kelcy, Kendrea, Kimberleigh, Kimberlin, Kimberlynn, Kimbery, Kimbley, Kimerly, Korrin, Kortnie, Kourtnee, Kourtni, Kourtnie, Krislynn, Kristle, Krystalyn, Krystan, Krystel, Krystie, Krystyn, Kymberlee, Kymberli, Laurynn, Leeana, Leighanna, Leshia, Lessly, Liann, Lindee, Lindsi, Lindsie, Linzie, Lorren, Lyndsi, Lyndsy, Lynnsey, Lynsie, Lynzee, Lynzi, Lynzie, Maghan, Malyssa, Marily, Martika, Maygan, Meagen, Mellanie, Mellany, Mickaela, Mikelle, Milinda, Mykaela, Nachelle, Nikayla, Nikkita, Nikkole, Nohely, Nycole, Rashel, Raychelle, Reann, Shaianne, Shaleah, Shannell, Sharay, Sharday, Sharelle, Sharina, Sharissa, Sharisse, Sharlee, Shawndra, Shayleen, Shelsy, Sherly, Sheyanne, Sintia, Tameria, Tarynn, Tashayla, Tawnie, Telicia, Terena, Terisa, Tifani, Tifanie, Tifany, Tiffanee, Tiffeny, Tiffiany, Tiffiney, Tiffney, Timberly, Tiphanie, Toree, Tyann, Wendee, Whitnee, Whitnie, Yeimi, Yenifer, Aliscia, Allisha, Allysha, Amberlie, Amylynn, Analyssa, Ashleyann, Ashleynicole, Breanah, Breanda, Breiana, Brianni, Britini, Britne, Brittane, Brittiney, Brittne, Bryttani, Bryttany, Cabrina, Candance, Champagne, Chantil, Charday, Charnise, Chasitie, Chavonne, Chealsea, Chelise, Chrisandra, Christalyn, Christyana, Cindel, Cortny, Courtlyn, Cristyn, Crystalynn, Denea, Derica, Derrica, Deserea, Desirey, Destaney, Deziree, Esthefany, Hillari, Jackilyn, Jacklynn, Jacquilyn, Jalynne, Jamiee, Jamielyn, Jamilee, Janesa, Jannely, Jaquelynn, Jasamine, Jassmin, Jaylenne, Jayni, Jeidy, Jenalee, Jenalyn, Jenicka, Jenisha, Jennae, Jennalee, Jennel, Jerika, Jerricka, Jessicia, Jeymi, Jhoselyn, Jilliann, Jillianne, Johnnae, Jonee, Jonika, Jonnae, Jyllian, Kaitlyne, Kandise, Kandyce, Karelyn, Karisha, Karlea, Karrina, Karrisa, Karrissa, Kasee, Katelen, Katelynd, Katilynn, Katlyne, Katlynne, Katryn, Kayann, Kayti, Keslie, Kimberely, Kimela, Korissa, Kortnee, Korynn, Krisa, Krisandra, Kristell, Kristinia, Kristyl, Krystalynn, Krystelle, Kymberlie, Laressa, Lindsee, Lyndsee, Marrisa, Maryfer, Maryssa, Melane, Melanye, Micala, Mickala, Mikeala, Mishell, Nickol, Nykole, Phylicia, Rakayla, Raquell, Reonna, Rickelle, Rockell, Roschelle, Samanda, Shantal, Shelsea, Shenae, Symantha, Taffany, Tamber, Tarissa, Teffany, Terissa, Terrionna, Tessica, Tiffane, Tiffinie, Tiffiny, Tiphani, Tiphany, Tyffany, Tylene, Vennessa, Whitni, Airika, Alishea, Amand, Bridney, Britiany, Cambrea, Chelcy, Chelesa, Danicka, Darianne, Jamilynn, Krisalyn, Merrissa, Staphany, Tiffannie, Toriann, Tyreka, Abreanna, Airica, Alexsys, Allesha, Amantha, Amberlea, Ashey, Ashlley, Aylssa, Brandalynn, Brandilynn, Brandolyn, Brandyce, Breawna, Brendia, Brendy, Brenisha, Brentney, Brettany, Briahnna, Briseidy, Britainy, Britanee, Britaney, Brithney, Britnay, Brittanni, Brittanya, Brittanyann, Brittnei, Brittony, Briunna, Brytney, Brytni, Carely, Carena, Cassara, Caytlyn, Chalsea, Chandel, Chantrell, Charell, Chasmine, Chastelyn, Chealsey, Chelbie, Chelcey, Chelci, Chellsea, Chelsei, Chelsye, Cheresa, Cheridan, Cherissa, Chivonne, Chrishelle, Chrystle, Courtnei, Crystalann, Crysten, Dachelle, Dalissa, Danialle, Danique, Danniell, Danyle, Deamber, Debany, Deerica, Desiraye, Devann, Erandy, Erikah, Erricka, Errika, Eryca, Gelisa, Hilliary, Jaclynne, Jacynda, Jaymarie, Jenaye, Jenesa, Jenissa, Jenniferlynn, Jenyfer, Jesicca, Jesseka, Jesselle, Jessic, Jessicalynn, Jessice, Jessikah, Jessilynn, Jillisa, Jinnifer, Jyssica, Kaetlin, Kaityln, Kandiss, Karalyne, Karelly, Karess, Karilynn, Karista, Karynn, Katilin, Keidra, Kelicia, Kelsha, Keyshla, Khristen, Khrystal, Kiffany, Kimberlly, Kimblery, Kimbly, Korryn, Kourtnei, Kristalyn, Kristalynn, Kristeena, Krystale, Krystall, Krystl, Krystol, Kurstyn, Kyandra, Kyleeann, Kyleigha, Kymberley, Kyrstal, Labrittany, Laruen, Leslea, Lichelle, Linday, Linsie, Lynsee, Makayli, Mallisa, Mallissa, Marenda, Mayreli, Melainie, Merranda, Meygan, Michalla, Mylisa, Nashali, Nelissa, Nichoel, Nickcole, Nicloe, Nikcole, Nikelle, Nikkol, Nikky, Nikyla, Phyllicia, Randilyn, Raschelle, Raychell, Reanne, Richell, Rickell, Ronnika, Samanth, Shabrea, Shaiann, Shalae, Shalaine, Shannelle, Shannia, Shanyn, Shawnelle, Shawnia, Shelaine, Shelbylynn, Shelise, Shellsea, Sheray, Sheyann, Shoni, Stesha, Stevey, Takeyla, Tamantha, Tamberly, Tanairy, Tashianna, Teandra, Tephanie, Tericka, Tierany, Tifanny, Tiffanni, Tiffanny, Tiffay, Tiffine, Tiffony, Tifini, Toniya, Trachelle, Trenace, Trichelle, Tyera, Tyffani, Vinessa, Whittany, Yeraldine
Brothers: Tyler, Ryan, Justin, Kyle, Derek, Bradley, Dustin, Garrett, Jarrett, Jason, Johnathan, Troy, Arron, Bradly, Brenton, Bryant, Daren, Darian, Dedric, Dereck, Garett, Jarred, Jarrod, Jerod, Jerrod, Keaton, Kevon, Randon, Trevon, Tristin, Tyren, Zachery, Zackery, Arnell, Bradlee, Chadrick, Christon, Darrian, Derrek, Derrik, Dillion, Dusten, Dyllon, Errick, Jaelen, Jarad, Jaret, Jarid, Jarrad, Jarret, Jarron, Jaycen, Jerad, Jermey, Jeromy, Jerrad, Jerrick, Justen, Juston, Justyn, Kentrell, Kordell, Markel, Mykal, Sharod, Stefon, Terrel, Terron, Tray, Tyrel, Tyrin, Aaren, Brenten, Chrishawn, Christion, Darik, Dason, Deavon, Derell, Derren, Devron, Domanick, Duron, Duston, Gerren, Gerrod, Jadrian, Jaeson, Jarel, Jarrid, Jarrin, Jaryd, Jeramey, Jerek, Jerick, Jerid, Jerren, Jerrid, Jerrin, Justan, Kenderick, Kendon, Koran, Montell, Nickalas, Nikkolas, Quantrell, Ravon, Roddrick, Roshaun, Stevin, Tayveon, Teran, Tylyn, Tyreece, Zackory, Breion, Chaddrick, Chawn, Daaron, Dairon, Darran, Dyron, Garyn, Gerod, Jaisen, Jasyn, Jayzon, Kayron, Kervens, Kristain, Labrandon, Maicol, Nicklous, Seon, Shawan, Shawndale, Shelden, Stark, Bradrick, Brentin, Christifer, Cordaryl, Keithon, Bijon, Darrek, Darric, Deryck, Devinn, Jasun, Jaysin, Jonavan, Jonavon, Justun, Kayren, Kelwin, Mycheal, Rodgerick, Shawnmichael, Shawnn, Sirron, Tymel, Zackrey
Names like Brandon
Names whose popularity has moved with Brandon's over the last 50 years.

