Braeden is a name of Irish origin that has been gaining popularity in recent years. It is derived from the Irish surname "O'Brien," which means "descendant of Brian." The name Brian itself means "noble" or "high" in Irish.
The name Braeden has a rich history, dating back to the Middle Ages. It was originally a surname, and one of its earliest known bearers was Brian Boru, an 11th-century High King of Ireland who is celebrated for uniting the country under his rule. The name O'Brien became associated with this powerful dynasty and eventually evolved into the given name Braeden.
In literature, Braeden has been used as a character name in several works, most notably in the "Fifty Shades" series by E.L. James, which has contributed to its growing popularity as a first name.
Today, Braeden is often considered a unisex name, although it is more commonly given to boys. It has a strong and unique sound that can appeal to parents looking for a distinctive name for their child. Despite its Irish origins, Braeden has become popular in many countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Overall, Braeden is a name with a rich history and a distinctive sound that continues to gain popularity today. Its Irish origins and association with powerful figures like Brian Boru give it a sense of strength and nobility that can appeal to parents looking for a meaningful name for their child.
The name Braeden has seen a significant rise in popularity over the past few decades in the United States, with a total of 13,548 babies born with this name between 1973 and 2023.
In the early years, from 1973 to 1987, the number of births with the name Braeden remained relatively low, ranging from 5 to 23. However, starting in 1988, there was a notable increase, with 26 births that year. This marked the beginning of a steady rise in popularity for the name.
The late 1980s and early 1990s saw a gradual increase, reaching 46 births in 1991 and 57 in 1992. However, it was in the mid-1990s that Braeden truly began to gain traction as a popular boy's name. Between 1996 and 2002, the number of babies named Braeden more than tripled, from 173 births in 1996 to 876 in 2002.
The peak popularity for the name Braeden was reached in 2005 with a total of 1,004 births. This high point was followed by a gradual decline over the next few years, with the number of births falling to 948 in 2008 and continuing to decrease steadily thereafter.
Despite this decline, Braeden remained relatively popular compared to its early years. In 2016, for instance, there were still 205 babies named Braeden, and even in recent years, the name has continued to appear on birth certificates, with 47 births recorded in 2023.
In summary, while the name Braeden experienced a significant rise and fall in popularity over the past few decades, it has nonetheless maintained a consistent presence among baby names in the United States.