Brendan
Boy name · #1101 in 2025 · Uniqueness 77/100
In 2025, 195 baby boys were named Brendan, placing it at #1101 in the official national rankings. A decade ago it stood at #387, so the name has been falling over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 9,231 boys born in 2025 was named Brendan.
Babies named Brendan per year, 1880–2025. Source: SSA.
The 113-year story
The historical record for Brendan begins in 1912 with 9 recorded births. Its peak came in 1999, when 3,995 boys were named Brendan — good for #96 that year. Today's parents encounter it on its way down the popularity curve, which for many parents is exactly the appeal. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Brendan against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Brendan in class?
Brendan scores 77 out of 100 on our uniqueness scale, which blends current rarity with five-year momentum — putting it in the "rare" band. A high score means genuine rarity — your Brendan will likely be the only one in the room, with the occasional spelling-out as the price.
Where Brendan is most common
Geography matters for names, and Brendan is no exception. In 2025 the states with the most Brendans were NY (23), TX (18), IL (16), CA (12), VA (12). Raw counts naturally favor populous states, but the spread still hints at where the name is part of the local naming culture.
Names like Brendan
Statistically, parents drawn to Brendan tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Brennan, Duncan, Coleman, Kristian, and Keenan.
BrennanDuncanColemanKristianKeenanBrendonDarianEstevan
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Brendan | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 195 | #1097 |
| 2024 | 222 | #1009 |
| 2023 | 262 | #887 |
| 2022 | 269 | #881 |
| 2021 | 327 | #765 |
| 2020 | 344 | #722 |
| 2019 | 422 | #637 |
| 2018 | 490 | #561 |
| 2017 | 560 | #517 |
| 2016 | 688 | #450 |
| 2015 | 826 | #387 |
| 2014 | 922 | #352 |
| 2013 | 1,009 | #326 |
| 2012 | 1,149 | #301 |
| 2011 | 1,315 | #263 |
| 2010 | 1,527 | #231 |
| 2009 | 1,762 | #212 |
| 2008 | 1,887 | #207 |
| 2007 | 1,927 | #205 |
| 2006 | 2,171 | #185 |
| 2005 | 2,360 | #176 |
| 2004 | 2,719 | #150 |
| 2003 | 2,867 | #141 |
| 2002 | 3,141 | #124 |
| 2001 | 3,345 | #115 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Brendan a popular boy name?
Brendan ranked #1101 among boys in 2025 with 195 babies given the name — outside the top 500, making it an uncommon pick. Ten years earlier it ranked #387.
When was the name Brendan most popular?
Brendan peaked in 1999, when 3,995 American boys received the name (ranked #96 that year). Since 1999 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Brendan?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 9,231 newborn American boys was named Brendan. It scores 77/100 on our uniqueness scale (rarity blended with momentum), which we classify as "rare".
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration name statistics, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect Social Security card applications; names with fewer than 5 occurrences in a state-year are suppressed by the SSA.