Brady is a name of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic word "bradaigh," which means "broad." It was originally a surname given to people who lived in a wide or expansive area. The name has been used as a given name since the mid-20th century and has gained popularity in recent years.
In Irish literature, there is a reference to Brady in the 17th-century play "The Battle of the Books" by Jonathan Swift. In this work, Brady is portrayed as a brave warrior who fights against the enemies of learning.
The name Brady has also been popularized in modern culture through various characters in movies and television shows. For example, Brady Nelson is the main character in the 1990s sitcom "Step by Step," while Brady Hoke is a former football coach whose name was used as an alias for the character Tom Hanks played in the movie "Cast Away.
Statistics on the Given Name "Brady"
The name Brady has seen varied popularity over the years in the United States, as reflected by the annual birth statistics provided. The earliest recorded year for the name Brady is 1903, with a total of 6 births that year. The number of babies named Brady remained relatively low until the mid-20th century.
The decade from 1970 to 1979 marked a significant increase in the usage of the name Brady. In 1970 alone, there were 12 births with this name, and by 1973, it had risen to 23 births. The peak of this trend was reached in 1976 with 25 births.
The late 1970s and early 1980s continued to show a steady increase in the popularity of the name Brady, culminating in 41 births in both 1982 and 1984. However, this trend began to decline after that peak, with the number of annual births falling below 40 from 1987 onwards.
The late 1990s and early 2000s saw another uptick in the popularity of the name Brady, with several years exceeding 40 births per year. The highest point during this period was in 2006, with a total of 64 births.
In recent years, the name Brady has continued to remain popular, although not at the levels seen in previous peaks. Between 2010 and 2023, the annual birth count for the name Brady ranged from a low of 27 (in 2011) to a high of 65 (in 2021).
In total, between 1903 and 2023, there have been 2044 births in the United States with the given name Brady. These statistics demonstrate that while the popularity of this name has varied over time, it has remained a consistent choice for parents in the U.S.