Brennen is an uncommon given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish surname "O'Briain," which means "descendant of Brian." The name Brian itself comes from the Old Celtic word "brían," meaning "strong, noble, or virtuous."
The O'Brien clan was one of the most powerful and influential families in Irish history. They were known for their military prowess and political influence, with many members serving as kings and chieftains throughout Ireland's medieval period.
In the 12th century, the O'Briens established the Kingdom of Thomond in County Clare, where they ruled until the early 17th century. The most famous member of this family was Brian Boru, who became High King of Ireland in 1002 and is considered one of the greatest figures in Irish history.
The name Brennen is not as commonly used today compared to other names derived from the O'Brien surname, such as Brendan or Bryan. However, it remains a unique choice for parents looking for an uncommon yet meaningful name with strong historical ties to Ireland.
The name Brennen has seen a significant trend over the past few decades in the United States. In the early 1960s, there were only a handful of babies named Brennen each year, with a low of just 5 births recorded in 1963.
However, starting from the late 1970s, we begin to see a steady increase in the number of babies named Brennen. The year 1982 marked a significant turning point, with 45 births, more than double the previous year's total. This upward trend continued throughout the 1980s and into the early 1990s, reaching an all-time high in 1997 with 322 births.
The popularity of the name Brennen peaked in the late 1990s and early 2000s, consistently ranking among the top 500 names during this period. The highest point was reached in 2003, with 400 babies named Brennen.
Since then, however, the popularity of the name has begun to decline. Despite fluctuations from year to year, there is a clear downward trend from around 2005 onwards. By 2017, the number of births had dropped below 100, and in recent years, it has continued to fall, with only 34 babies named Brennen recorded in the United States in 2023.
Overall, while Brennen was once a relatively uncommon name, it experienced a period of significant popularity between the late 1970s and early 2000s. However, this trend has since reversed, and the name is now less common than it has been in several decades.