Brenna Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Brenna is an Irish name meaning 'sorrow' or 'sadness', derived from the Gaelic 'Braonán'. It has evolved from historical forms to modern usage and is currently viewed as trendy and warm. The name does not have biblical relevance but has gained popularity in the late 20th century, with notable figures contributing to its recognition.
The name Brenna is most popular in Colorado, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Brenna has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Brenna' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2216th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 907th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 398th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 366th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1120th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Brenna' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Brenna"
Pronunciation
/ˈbrɛnə/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
The name Brenna is derived from the Gaelic name 'Braonán', which means 'sorrow' or 'sadness'. It is often associated with the river name 'Brennan' in Ireland.
Meaning
sorrow, sadness
Language Evolution
Braonán, Brenna
Historical Usage
Brenna gained popularity in the late 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, as a feminine name.
Variants & Derivatives
Bren, Brennie, Brenley
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Brenna is perceived as a modern and trendy name that carries a sense of uniqueness and warmth.
Famous People
Brenna O'Brien - Canadian actress, Brenna Whittaker - American athlete
Explore More Brenna Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Brenna"
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 of "Brenna"
"Brenna" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2216th of 12526 | 472 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 907th of 19264 | 2,312 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 398th of 27321 | 9,980 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 366th of 35406 | 13,787 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1120th of 30306 | 2,712 |
Regional Popularity of "Brenna" by Generation for Male 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) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Brenna" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
77.37% 1723rd/2227 |
- |
100.00% 2853rd/2853 |
75.53% 2096th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
29.11% 855th/2937 |
31.04% 1081st/3483 |
33.54% 1180th/3518 |
18.00% 728th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
8.44% 311th/3685 |
9.30% 416th/4475 |
9.76% 507th/5194 |
6.05% 382nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
5.43% 249th/4582 |
5.96% 308th/5164 |
6.36% 465th/7313 |
5.84% 436th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
18.95% 755th/3984 |
22.91% 1028th/4487 |
20.29% 1384th/6822 |
23.31% 1463rd/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Brenna"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Brenna" 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.