Brennan

boyIrishChristian

Brennan is an boy name of Irish origin, meaning “Descendant of Braonán”.

MeaningDescendant of Braonán
GenderBoy
OriginIrish
PronunciationBREN-un
TraditionModern & Classic, Christian
Used inUnited States, Ireland, Canada

Meaning and origin of Brennan

Brennan comes from the Irish surname Ó Braonáin, 'descendant of Braonán'. The meaning of Braonán is debated: it may come from braon, 'drop', or a word for sorrow. The popular explanation 'little raven' is based on bran, 'raven', and is not well supported. The name has been used as a first name mainly in the United States.

Is Brennan a religious name?

Brennan is a secular Irish surname, used mostly by Catholic families in Ireland but with no specific religious meaning.

How popular is Brennan?

Moderately used in the United States as a given name.

Gifts with the name Brennan

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Spellings and variants of Brennan

BrenanBrannon

Names similar to Brennan

More boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Brennan mean?

Brennan means 'Descendant of Braonán'. It is of Irish origin.

Does Brennan have a religious meaning?

Brennan is a secular Irish surname, used mostly by Catholic families in Ireland but with no specific religious meaning.

How do you pronounce Brennan?

Brennan is pronounced BREN-un.

Is Brennan a boy or girl name?

Brennan is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.