Brand is a masculine given name of Scandinavian origin, specifically from Norway and Sweden. It is derived from the Old Norse word 'brandr', which means "sword" or "fire." The name Brand has been used in various forms throughout history, with notable figures including the Norwegian poet and dramatist Henrik Ibsen's character Brand in his play of the same name.
The name Brand was also borne by historical figures such as Saint Brendan the Navigator, a sixth-century Irish abbot and explorer who is believed to have discovered America centuries before Christopher Columbus. Additionally, Brand was the name of a legendary Norse king who was said to possess a magical sword that never broke or grew dull.
Today, Brand remains a relatively uncommon but distinctively Scandinavian name, often chosen for its strong, fiery associations. Despite its historical significance and unique origin, it has not gained widespread popularity outside of Scandinavia.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Brand has seen a varied trend of popularity in the United States over the past seven decades.
The name first appeared in the top 1000 baby names list in 1948 with only 5 births recorded that year. It reached its peak popularity between 1986 and 1991, with a high of 10 births in 1991. This period marked a significant increase from the previous years, indicating that Brand was gaining traction as a popular choice for parents.
Interestingly, after the mid-1990s, the popularity of the name Brand seemed to fluctuate quite a bit. There were periods where it dipped back down to single-digit births per year, such as in 2001 and 2016 with only 5 births each year. However, it also experienced some resurgences, particularly between 2018 and 2022, during which there were 10 births in both 2018 and 2019, followed by 6 births in 2021 and 8 births in 2022.
In total, from 1948 to 2022, the name Brand has been given to 289 babies in the United States. While it may not have maintained consistent high popularity over the years, its presence in the top names list for nearly eight decades demonstrates that it remains a distinctive and memorable choice for parents.