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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Prince, king; a diminutive of the same root meaning 'high, exalted' behind Brigid
- Origin
- Irish (via Old Welsh)
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- BREN-dan
Brendan is a boy's name of Irish origin, reached by way of Old Welsh, and it means "prince" or "king." It comes from the same root meaning "high, exalted" that sits behind Brigid. It's pronounced BREN-dan, and it has a classic, worldly feel that has stayed familiar over time.
Meaning & Origin of Brendan
Meaning: Prince, king; a diminutive of the same root meaning 'high, exalted' behind Brigid.
Origin: Irish (via Old Welsh).
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Brendan
BREN-danIPA /ˈbrɛndən/
Popularity of Brendan
Brendan peaked at #96 in 1999, when 3,994 babies were given the name. By 2024 it had slipped to #1009, with 221 babies, so it's now a familiar name you won't hear on every playground.
Names Like Brendan
These names share Brendan’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Brendan mean?
Prince, king; a diminutive of the same root meaning ‘high, exalted’ behind Brigid. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Brendan?
Brendan is pronounced BREN-dan (IPA: /ˈbrɛndən/).
Is Brendan a popular name right now?
Brendan peaked at #96 in 1999 and is ranked #1009 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1912–2024.)
Make Brendan Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Brendan, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
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