NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Braidan

Meaning "descendant of sadness" and of Irish origin.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2011. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Braidan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Braidan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2011 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3830, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 4 births.

This profile covers 7 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2007 to 2011. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

Braidan is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 7 living people in the UK are called Braidan. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2012 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Braidan ranked #3830 for boys in England and Wales in 2011, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2011, when 4 boys were registered as Braidan.
  • About 7 living people in the UK are estimated to have Braidan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3830

2011

Births in 2011

4

Latest year

Peak year

2011

4 births

Estimated living

7

2026

Meaning

What does Braidan mean?

The given name Braidan has its origins in the Irish Gaelic language, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be a variant of the name Brayden, which itself is derived from the Old Irish word "bráth," meaning "great" or "illustrious." The name's earliest recorded usage can be traced back to the 10th century in historical records and ancient manuscripts from Ireland.

One of the earliest known individuals to bear the name Braidan was Braidan Mac Cathmhaoil, a renowned Irish poet and scholar who lived during the 12th century. His works, which explored themes of love, nature, and Irish mythology, were widely celebrated and helped to popularize the name among the Irish nobility and literary circles of the time.

In the 13th century, a notable figure named Braidan Ó Conchobhair emerged as a respected military leader and advisor to the King of Connacht, one of the ancient provinces of Ireland. His strategic prowess and loyalty to the crown earned him a place in the annals of Irish history.

During the 16th century, Braidan O'Reilly, a prominent Catholic priest and scholar, made significant contributions to the preservation of Irish literature and language. His efforts to safeguard Ireland's cultural heritage during a period of religious turmoil and political upheaval left a lasting impact and helped to ensure the survival of the name Braidan.

In the realm of art and literature, Braidan O'Donnell, an Irish painter and poet of the 18th century, gained recognition for his vivid depictions of Irish landscapes and his poignant verses celebrating the beauty of his homeland. His works are celebrated as a testament to the enduring cultural traditions of Ireland.

Another notable figure bearing the name Braidan was Braidan MacCormack, a 19th-century Irish revolutionary who played a pivotal role in the fight for Irish independence. His unwavering commitment to the cause of Irish freedom and his sacrifice in the face of adversity have cemented his place as a revered figure in Irish history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Braidan over time

The chart below shows babies named Braidan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2007 to 2011. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Braidan, the clearest high point is 2011. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2011, compared with 4 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Braidan
01234200720092011

Decades

Braidan by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Braidan was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2010s #3830 4 1
2000s #4333 3 1

Related

Names similar to Braidan

FAQ

Braidan: questions and answers

How popular is the name Braidan in the UK right now?

In 2011, Braidan was ranked #3830 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Braidan most popular?

The peak year on record was 2011, with 4 babies registered as Braidan in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Braidan?

Meaning "descendant of sadness" and of Irish origin.

How many people are called Braidan in the UK?

A total of 7 babies have been registered as Braidan across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.