Brandon is a name of English origin, derived from the Old English word "brand", which means "sword" or "fire". The name was originally given to a person who held land that had once belonged to someone named Brand. Over time, Brandon has become popular as a boys' name and has also been used occasionally for girls.
The name Brandon first appeared in the Domesday Book of 1086, an ancient English survey of land ownership, where it was recorded as a surname. It wasn't until the mid-20th century that Brandon began to be used as a given name for boys. Today, Brandon is widely recognized as a popular and strong-sounding name, often associated with the actor Brandon Lee, son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee.
In literature and popular culture, Brandon has been the subject of many notable works, including the epic poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" by the medieval English poet Thomas Malory. The character of Brandon is also featured prominently in the novel "Brideshead Revisited" by Evelyn Waugh.
Overall, the name Brandon carries a sense of strength and power due to its association with the sword and fire imagery. It's a timeless name that has stood the test of time and continues to be popular today.
The name Brandon has been a popular choice for parents in the United States over the past several decades. According to the statistics provided, there were 6 babies named Brandon in 1980. This number fluctuated over the years, reaching a peak of 11 births in both 1983 and 1997. The name's popularity seemed to decrease slightly in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with only 5 births recorded in 2005 and again in 2010. However, it is clear that Brandon has remained a consistently chosen name for boys throughout this time period, with a total of 122 babies named Brandon born in the United States alone since 1980. This data shows that Brandon has been a well-liked and enduring name choice for parents in the United States over the past few decades.