Brainard is a unique, yet historically significant given name of Germanic origin. It was brought to prominence by the Brainerd family in America during the colonial era. The name is derived from the Old English elements 'brægen' meaning 'hill' and '-hard' signifying 'strong'. While it may not be as widely used today, Brainard carries a distinctive charm and a rich historical legacy.
The name Brainard had a peak of popularity during the early to mid-20th century, with significant birth numbers occurring between 1913 and 1926. The most prolific years were 1914 (11 births) and 1926 (10 births). However, the name's popularity seemed to have waned by the late 1950s as no births were recorded from 1927 until 1951, with only sporadic occurrences thereafter. Overall, there were a total of 129 births bearing the name Brainard over the years listed.