Brendan
Boy name · 1,087 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Brendan: 1,087 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 44 births in 2000.
Brendan comes from the Irish Bréanainn, thought to mean "prince" or "little raven," echoing an old Celtic tradition of naming after birds. The name’s most celebrated bearer is Saint Brendan the Navigator, a sixth-century monk whose legendary voyage across the Atlantic may have reached North America long before Columbus. Mount Brandon on Ireland's Dingle Peninsula takes its name from him, and his maritime story later inspired Tim Severin's famous 1970s sailing expedition. More recently, actor Brendan Fraser brought the name Hollywood visibility, while playwright Brendan Behan gave it a literary edge. A popular variant, Brendon, appears occasionally in Scottish registries, though the traditional spelling remains the most familiar choice for parents drawn to this gentle yet adventurous Celtic classic.
Boy 51 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 200044 babies
- Latest (2025)
- #6474 babies
- Total births
- 1,087since 1974
- 5-year trend
- ▼ 61%vs prior 5y