Brendan
Male nameIrish
✨ Meaning
Brendan is the anglicised form of the Irish Bréanainn, which came into Irish from the Welsh 'breenhin,' meaning prince or king. The name therefore means 'prince' rather than anything to do with the sea, despite its most famous bearer's reputation as a voyager. It is a rare case of a name that crossed from one Celtic language into another and settled permanently in its adopted home.
🌍 Origin
Saint Brendan of Clonfert, the sixth-century Irish monk known as Brendan the Navigator, is the reason the name endured. The medieval account of his Atlantic voyage was one of the most copied texts in Europe. The name spread with the Irish diaspora to the United States, Canada and Australia and peaked there in the late twentieth century.
📈 Popularity Trend
⭐ Famous People Named Brendan
- Brendan Fraser
- Brendan Gleeson
- Brendan Behan
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does Brendan mean?
Brendan means 'prince,' from the Irish Bréanainn, which was borrowed from a Welsh word for a ruler.
Who was Saint Brendan?
A sixth-century Irish monk known as Brendan the Navigator, whose legendary Atlantic voyage was among the most widely copied stories of medieval Europe.
Is Brendan spelled Brendan or Brendon?
Brendan is the standard Irish-derived spelling. Brendon is a modern variant used mostly in the United States.