Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
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
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
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
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 (8 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 8 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
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
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
96.75% 2289th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
95.07% 2237th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
26.81% 597th/2227 |
24.36% 592nd/2430 |
26.71% 762nd/2853 |
18.81% 522nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
2.15% 63rd/2937 |
3.47% 121st/3483 |
1.65% 58th/3518 |
1.16% 47th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
0.33% 12th/3685 |
0.54% 24th/4475 |
0.19% 10th/5194 |
0.24% 15th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
0.59% 27th/4582 |
0.43% 22nd/5164 |
0.22% 16th/7313 |
0.23% 17th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
3.99% 159th/3984 |
2.45% 110th/4487 |
1.51% 103rd/6822 |
1.70% 107th/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
50.53% 1484th/2937 |
100.00% 3483rd/3483 |
37.44% 1317th/3518 |
40.58% 1641st/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
25.64% 945th/3685 |
34.84% 1559th/4475 |
16.87% 876th/5194 |
21.94% 1386th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
100.00% 4582nd/4582 |
100.00% 5164th/5164 |
51.91% 3796th/7313 |
55.65% 4153rd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Nevada across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Millennials (Gen Y) generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been gradually declining. From 2020-2022, usage has been falling for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, too falling for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too rising for male in South, stalled for female in South, too rising for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been too rising for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, too rising for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too rising for male in South, stalled for female in South, too rising for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2458th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2395th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 665th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 66th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 14th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 19th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 119th out of 23106 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 6652nd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1583rd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1063rd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 4429th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 17754th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.