Declining since 2008, #4,539 for boys today.
Popularity of Brenner since 1979
Babies named Brenner per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 22 |
| 1990s | 179 |
| 2000s | 472 |
| 2010s | 412 |
| 2020s | 132 |
Meaning & origin
Brenner entered U.S. naming records in 1979 as a masculine given name drawn from a German surname. Its use grew steadily through the 1990s and 2000s, reaching a peak rank in 2009. Since 2008, its popularity has been gradually falling; by 2025 it ranked 4,539th, corresponding to about 1 in every 77,640 boys. The name has not been concentrated in any particular state or region, suggesting broad but infrequent adoption. Brenner joins a trend of surname-first names that appeal to parents seeking a strong, occupational feel without being overly common.
Brenner is a German surname derived from Middle High German 'brennen' meaning 'to burn.' It originally referred to someone who lived near a burned clearing or who worked as a charcoal burner. As a given name, Brenner is a modern adoption of the surname, emerging in the late 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bren, Ren
Sibling names for Brenner
Names that share Brenner's style, for a brother or sister.
