Branko is of Serbian origin, derived from the Slavic word 'braniti', which means 'to protect' or 'defend'. It is a traditionally masculine given name, popular in many Slavic countries including Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The name Branko can also be found among communities with historic ties to these regions, such as those living in Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and Montenegro.
The name Branko has seen a fluctuating popularity over the years, with periods of steady usage and others of decline or resurgence. The most common years for the name were 1975 (11 births) and 2020 (6 births), while there was a notable gap in its use from 1963 to 1970 and again from 1989 to 2009, with only one birth each in 1972 and 2014. Overall, the name has been given to 76 children over these years.