Boy · 19th of 24,088
Brandon
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
773,294
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1992
Peak Popularity Year
29,723
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Brandon stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Brandon has its roots in Old English, meaning 'broom hill'. It evolved through historical forms and has been a popular name since the 20th century. The name is associated with strength and modernity, with no direct biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈbrændən/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Brandon is derived from the Old English elements 'brom' meaning 'broom' and 'dun' meaning 'hill or mound'. It originally referred to someone who lived near a hill overgrown with broom plants.
Meaning
broom hill
Language Evolution
Brandon (Modern English), Brandon (Middle English), Brandon (Old English)
Historical Usage
Brandon gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, partly due to its appealing sound and the rise of similar-sounding names.
Variants & Derivatives
Bran, Brandy, Brandonson
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Brandon is perceived as a strong and classic name, often associated with youth and modernity. It remains popular in various forms across different cultures.
Famous People
Brandon Lee, Brandon Flowers, Brandon Routh, Brandon Stanton
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
Geographic charts live in focused views so this report stays readable. Choose the level of detail you need.
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 29,723 peak births in 1992
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 8 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2458th of 7545 | 177 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2395th of 6773 | 183 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 665th of 7552 | 2,429 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 66th of 10718 | 82,353 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 14th of 16616 | 406,831 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 19th of 24088 | 237,030 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 119th of 23106 | 40,146 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 6652nd of 12526 | 58 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1583rd of 19264 | 994 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1063rd of 27321 | 2,569 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 4429th of 35406 | 488 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 17754th of 30306 | 36 |