Declining since 1998.
Popularity of Brannen since 1970
Babies named Brannen per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 36 |
| 1980s | 57 |
| 1990s | 122 |
| 2000s | 108 |
| 2010s | 53 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Brannen is a modern Irish-American name that first appeared on the U.S. Social Security records in 1970. While it has never cracked the top 1000, it reached its peak popularity in 2002, a year that saw the most births for the name. Since 1998, however, its usage has been on a steady decline, and by 2025 the name's frequency is too low to calculate a 1-in-N statistic. No single state emerged as a stronghold for Brannen; its usage is scattered across the country. The name is essentially a respelling of the more common Brennan, and its rarity gives it a distinctive feel.
Brannen is a modern spelling variant of the Irish surname and given name Brennan. Brennan comes from the Gaelic Ó Braonáin, indicating a descendant of Braonán. The root braon can mean 'rain', 'moisture', or 'sorrow', though the exact meaning of the personal name is debated. Brannen gained modest use in the United States starting in the 1970s, peaking in popularity around 2002, but has since declined.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bran, Bren
Sibling names for Brannen
Names that share Brannen's style, for a brother or sister.
