Bran is a name of Irish origin, derived from the Old Irish word "bran," which means "raven." The raven is a sacred bird in Celtic mythology and is often associated with wisdom, intelligence, and prophecy.
The name Bran appears in various forms throughout Irish history and literature. One notable figure was Bran mac Febail (also known as Bran the Blessed), a legendary king of Ireland who lived during the early centuries of the Christian era. According to Irish lore, Bran was a wise and just ruler who brought prosperity and peace to his kingdom.
The name Bran also features prominently in the "Four Branches of the Mabinogi," a collection of medieval Welsh tales that contain elements of Celtic mythology. In these stories, Bran is often depicted as a heroic figure with supernatural abilities, such as the power to change shape or become invisible.
In addition to its Irish and Welsh connections, the name Bran has also been adopted by other cultures throughout history. For example, in Norse mythology, Bran is the name of a giant who guards the entrance to Helheim, the realm of the dead.
Today, Bran remains a popular choice for parents seeking unique and meaningful names for their children. Its association with wisdom, intelligence, and heroism continues to appeal to many people, as does its rich historical and literary heritage.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Bran has seen a varying number of births annually in the United States over several decades.
From 1970 to 1988, there were a total of 55 births with the name Bran. The highest year for this period was 1972 with 11 births, while the lowest was 1970 and 1986, both with 5 births each.
There was a gap in the data from 1989 to 1999, but starting from the year 2000 until 2023, there were another 128 births recorded for the name Bran. The highest number of births during this period occurred in 2016 with 13 births.
Overall, from 1970 to 2023, there have been a total of 226 babies named Bran born in the United States. This indicates that while the name Bran has not been extremely popular over time, it has still been chosen by parents for their children consistently across several decades.