Declining since 1998, #2,676 for boys today.
Popularity of Brendon since 1927
Babies named Brendon per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 8 |
| 1930s | 19 |
| 1940s | 26 |
| 1950s | 69 |
| 1960s | 443 |
| 1970s | 1,465 |
| 1980s | 3,173 |
| 1990s | 6,833 |
| 2000s | 5,660 |
| 2010s | 2,016 |
| 2020s | 369 |
Meaning & origin
Brendon is a modern spelling variant that saw its peak usage in the United States in 1998, when it ranked highest among baby names. Since then, its popularity has steadily declined, falling to rank 2,676 in 2025, with only about 1 in 35,585 newborn boys given the name. The name first appeared on U.S. records in 1927, and it has remained most consistently associated with Pennsylvania, where the highest proportion of Brendons have been recorded. Brendon's trajectory reflects the broader shift away from Brendan and Brandon variants, which were especially fashionable in the 1990s. Despite its decline, Brendon retains a familiar sound and Irish-inflected heritage.
Brendon is a modern variant of both Brendan and Brandon, two distinct names with separate origins. Brendan derives from the Irish Bréanainn, meaning "prince" or "little raven," borne by the legendary 6th-century Saint Brendan the Navigator. Brandon comes from an English surname meaning "gorse hill." Brendon gained popularity as a spelling variant in the United States during the 20th century, particularly in the 1990s.
Where Brendon 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: Bren, Brendy
Sibling names for Brendon
Names that share Brendon's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Brendon
Names whose popularity has moved with Brendon's over the last 50 years.
