Holding steady.
Popularity of Brannan since 1971
Babies named Brannan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 54 |
| 1980s | 91 |
| 1990s | 108 |
| 2000s | 97 |
| 2010s | 26 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Brannan is a rare masculine name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1971. Its peak year of usage was 1978, after which its popularity declined and remained stable at very low levels. The name has no recorded top states, indicating it has never been regionally concentrated. As a modern American coinage likely derived from Irish surnames such as Brennan or Brannon, it carries associations with both Irish heritage and contemporary naming trends. Its rarity makes it a distinctive choice for parents seeking an uncommon name with familiar sounds.
The name Brannan likely derives from an Irish surname, an Anglicized form of Ó Braonáin, meaning 'descendant of Braonán,' a personal name possibly meaning 'sorrow' or 'moisture.' Alternatively, it may be a variant of Brannon, from the Gaelic 'bran,' meaning 'raven.' In the United States, it has been used as a given name since the 1970s, though it remains rare.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Brannan
Names that share Brannan's style, for a brother or sister.
