Brennan
From Irish Ó Braonáin (“descendant of Braonán”), a diminutive of braon (“moisture, drop”).
Every Brennan since 1916 — 35,487 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Brennan
Brennan is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,003 in 2025 with 226 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1916, 35,487 American babies have been named Brennan — about 94% boys and 6% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2009, when 1,550 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Brennan stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Brennan year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | #9,557 | 226 | #1,003 |
| 2024 | 19 | #6,212 | 207 | #1,057 |
| 2023 | 16 | #6,987 | 213 | #1,025 |
| 2022 | 26 | #5,045 | 224 | #995 |
| 2021 | 30 | #4,528 | 265 | #872 |
| 2020 | 32 | #4,282 | 315 | #764 |
| 2019 | 32 | #4,359 | 340 | #719 |
| 2018 | 30 | #4,578 | 382 | #661 |
| 2017 | 44 | #3,493 | 464 | #585 |
| 2016 | 35 | #4,176 | 549 | #534 |
| 2015 | 40 | #3,783 | 690 | #444 |
| 2014 | 57 | #2,973 | 806 | #387 |
| 2013 | 66 | #2,665 | 927 | #345 |
| 2012 | 73 | #2,499 | 1,011 | #318 |
| 2011 | 87 | #2,175 | 1,177 | #293 |
| 2010 | 81 | #2,344 | 1,279 | #270 |
| 2009 | 86 | #2,272 | 1,464 | #242 |
| 2008 | 83 | #2,338 | 1,316 | #263 |
| 2007 | 100 | #2,039 | 1,207 | #286 |
| 2006 | 69 | #2,609 | 1,116 | #299 |
| 2005 | 47 | #3,271 | 1,054 | #312 |
| 2004 | 63 | #2,625 | 1,061 | #300 |
| 2003 | 41 | #3,479 | 1,127 | #276 |
| 2002 | 58 | #2,648 | 1,121 | #273 |
| 2001 | 60 | #2,545 | 1,121 | #274 |
| 2000 | 42 | #3,222 | 1,158 | #276 |
| 1995 | 62 | #2,160 | 916 | #288 |
| 1990 | 41 | #2,805 | 606 | #383 |
| 1985 | 20 | #3,995 | 253 | #553 |
| 1980 | 23 | #3,519 | 142 | #737 |
| 1975 | 11 | #5,192 | 102 | #823 |
| 1970 | — | — | 73 | #932 |
| 1965 | — | — | 36 | #1,276 |
| 1960 | — | — | 17 | #1,978 |
| 1955 | — | — | 10 | #2,588 |
| 1950 | — | — | 6 | #3,364 |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Brennan mean?
From Irish Ó Braonáin (“descendant of Braonán”), a diminutive of braon (“moisture, drop”).
How popular is the name Brennan in 2025?
Brennan ranked #1,003 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 226 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Brennan?
35,487 babies have been named Brennan in the United States since 1916, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Brennan most popular?
Brennan peaked in 2009, when 1,550 newborns received the name.
Is Brennan a boy or girl name?
Brennan is used for both: about 6% of babies named Brennan have been girls and 94% boys.
Is the name Brennan rising or falling?
Brennan is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.