Brainard is a unique and distinctive name of American origin. It was created by American author John Kendrick Bangs in his 1894 book "A House Boat on the Chesapeake." In this novel, Brainard is portrayed as an eccentric millionaire with a penchant for inventing useless gadgets.
The meaning of the name Brainard is not explicitly defined. However, it is believed to be derived from the English word 'brain,' which refers to the organ that controls thought and memory in humans. This suggests that the name may have been intended to imply intelligence or wisdom. Alternatively, it could be seen as a playful or humorous reference to someone who has their head in the clouds or is eccentric.
Despite its unusual origin, Brainard has been used occasionally as a given name in the United States since Bangs' novel was published. It has not, however, gained widespread popularity and remains quite rare. As of 2019, there were only around 50 people with the first name Brainard living in the U.S.
In terms of its usage over time, Brainard peaked in popularity during the early 20th century when Bangs' novel was still relatively well-known. Since then, its use has declined significantly. Today, it is more likely to be found among older generations or as a family name passed down through generations.
Overall, Brainard is an uncommon and distinctive name with an interesting literary origin. While its meaning may not be explicitly defined, it can be interpreted in various ways depending on one's perspective. Whether seen as a reference to intelligence, eccentricity, or simply as a unique and whimsical choice, Brainard remains a memorable name with a fascinating history.
The name Brainard has been a relatively rare choice for parents in the United States over the past century, with a total of 129 babies born with this name since 1913.
In its early years of usage, the name Brainard saw some fluctuations in popularity. It was given to five boys in 1913, then experienced a brief spike to eleven births in 1914 before dropping back down to seven in 1916. This pattern of varying popularity continued throughout the first half of the 20th century, with occasional increases and decreases in usage.
From 1951 onwards, there was another small resurgence in the name's popularity, with five births recorded that year. This was followed by a few more years of relatively consistent birth numbers, ranging from five to seven babies named Brainard each year between 1956 and 1964.
However, since the late 1960s, the name Brainard has become even less common in the United States. Between 1970 and 2003 (the last year for which data is available), only five babies were named Brainard each year on average, suggesting that this name may have fallen out of fashion among parents.
Despite its waning popularity, however, the name Brainard remains a unique and distinctive choice for parents looking for an uncommon name with a historic precedent. Its varying usage over the past century demonstrates that while it may not be one of the most popular names, Brainard has still managed to maintain a small but steady presence in American naming culture.