The name Brandon is of English origin and has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from an Old English word "brand", which means "sword" or "fire". The prefix "brad-" also means "wide" or "broad".
In medieval times, Brandon was often used as a surname, referring to someone who lived near a wide road or broad river. However, over time it evolved into a given name and became quite popular in the English-speaking world.
The name Brandon has been associated with several notable historical figures and celebrities. One of the most famous Brands is Sir Matthew Brandon, an English explorer and pirate who sailed with Francis Drake during the 16th century. There's also Brandon Flowers, the lead singer of the American rock band The Killers.
Despite its masculine connotation today, historically Brandon has been used for both boys and girls. For instance, in Shakespeare's play "The Two Gentlemen of Verona", one of the main characters is named Brenda Troiano, who was originally played by a boy actor.
In terms of popularity, Brandon peaked as one of the top 10 most popular names for boys in the United States during the late 1980s and early 1990s. However, it has since declined slightly in usage but remains a well-liked name nonetheless.
Overall, Brandon is an enduring name with deep roots in English history, offering parents a strong yet approachable option for their newborn son or daughter.
The name Brandon has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the years. It started with fewer than 10 births per year between 1954 and 1967, then dramatically increased to peak at 273 births in 1985. However, since the late 1980s, its popularity has consistently declined, dropping below 50 births per year by the early 2000s, and continuing to decrease until reaching a current low of 6 births per year in both 2018 and 2019. In total, there have been 4,145 babies named Brandon born between 1954 and 2019.