Declining since 2009, #4,857 for boys today.
Popularity of Brennen since 1962
Babies named Brennen per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 42 |
| 1970s | 166 |
| 1980s | 655 |
| 1990s | 2,442 |
| 2000s | 3,664 |
| 2010s | 1,836 |
| 2020s | 234 |
Meaning & origin
Brennen is an Irish-derived name that has seen modest but steady use in the United States since its first recorded appearance in 1962. It reached its peak popularity in 2009, when it ranked highest on the Social Security Administration's list, but has since been declining. In the most recent data from 2025, the name ranked 4857, with approximately 1 in 85404 boys receiving it. Brennen remains a distinctive choice, tied to Irish heritage via the Ó Braonáin surname, and appeals to parents seeking a name with Celtic roots that is less common than mainstream variants like Brennan.
Brennen is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Braonáin, meaning 'descendant of Braonán'. The personal name Braonán may be derived from the Irish word 'braon', meaning 'sorrow' or 'teardrop', though the etymology is not entirely certain. Historically, the Ó Braonáin family were a prominent sept in County Galway and County Roscommon. As a given name, Brennen emerged in the mid-20th century, likely influenced by the similar name Brendan.
Where Brennen 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, Brenny
Sibling names for Brennen
Names that share Brennen's style, for a brother or sister.
