Declining since 1996, #2,542 for girls today.
Popularity of Breanna since 1965
Babies named Breanna per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 486 |
| 1980s | 7,388 |
| 1990s | 40,026 |
| 2000s | 28,029 |
| 2010s | 5,677 |
| 2020s | 764 |
Meaning & origin
Breanna first appeared in U.S. records in 1965, but it saw its greatest use in the 1990s, peaking in 1996 at rank 2542. Since then, it has been falling in popularity, reflecting a broader shift away from similar -anna and -a ending names. In its peak year, 1996, the name was most common in California and Texas, states that have long been home to diverse naming trends. Today, Breanna is given to about 1 in every 23,294 girls, a far cry from its height but still recognizable as a modern classic from the 1990s naming era.
Breanna is a feminine variant of Brian, an Irish name of debated origin. It may derive from the Old Celtic element *brig- meaning "might, power" or from *brīgos "noble, strong." The spelling Brianna gained popularity in the late 20th century, and Breanna emerged as a variant alongside other forms like Breana and Briana.
Where Breanna is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls 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: Bree, Anna, Bri
Sibling names for Breanna
Names that share Breanna's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Breanna
Names whose popularity has moved with Breanna's over the last 50 years.
