UK boy's name
Brannan
Masculine Gaelic name referring to a warrior or brave fighter.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2007. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Brannan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Brannan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2007 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3589, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2004, with 7 births.
This profile covers 35 England and Wales registrations across 8 recorded years from 1996 to 2007. 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.
The latest count is about 57% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 35 living people in the UK are called Brannan. 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 2008 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Brannan ranked #3589 for boys in England and Wales in 2007, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2004, when 7 boys were registered as Brannan.
- • About 35 living people in the UK are estimated to have Brannan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3589
2007
Births in 2007
4
Latest year
Peak year
2004
7 births
Estimated living
35
2026
Meaning
What does Brannan mean?
The name Brannan is of Gaelic origin, derived from the ancient Irish word "bran," meaning "raven." This name has its roots in Celtic culture and can be traced back to the medieval period in Ireland and Scotland.
In early Irish mythology, the raven was a significant symbol, often associated with the Celtic goddess of war and sovereignty, known as the Morrigan. The name Brannan may have been bestowed upon individuals with a connection to this mythological figure or as a tribute to the raven's symbolic importance.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Brannan can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. In the 12th century, a notable figure named Brannan Ua Domhnaill is mentioned, indicating the name's usage during that time.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Brannan. In the 16th century, Brannan O'Neill was a prominent Irish chieftain who played a significant role in the Nine Years' War against English rule in Ireland (1594-1603). He was known for his military prowess and unwavering resistance against the English forces.
Another historical figure with the name Brannan was Brannan Carberry, an Irish Franciscan friar who lived in the 17th century. He was a renowned scholar and author, having written several works on theology and philosophy.
In the 19th century, Samuel Brannan (1819-1889) was an influential American businessman and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He played a crucial role in the establishment of the Mormon community in California and was instrumental in the development of the city of San Francisco.
Brannan Wamp (born 1976) is a contemporary American politician who served as a U.S. Representative for Tennessee's 3rd congressional district from 1995 to 2011. He was known for his advocacy for small businesses and his efforts to promote economic development in his district.
Throughout its history, the name Brannan has maintained a strong connection to its Gaelic roots, with various individuals bearing this name leaving their mark across different fields, from mythology and religion to politics and business.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Brannan over time
The chart below shows babies named Brannan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2007. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Brannan, the clearest high point is 2004. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2007, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Brannan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Brannan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #2760 | 25 | 5 |
| 1990s | #2714 | 10 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Brannan
- Benjamin 90,412
- Ben 36,356
- Bradley 30,230
- Brandon 26,411
- Billy 18,608
- Bobby 16,904
- Blake 16,337
- Bailey 16,014
- Brody 7,230
- Beau 6,722
- Barnaby 5,284
- Brodie 4,801
FAQ
Brannan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Brannan in the UK right now?
In 2007, Brannan was ranked #3589 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Brannan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2004, with 7 babies registered as Brannan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Brannan?
Masculine Gaelic name referring to a warrior or brave fighter.
How many people are called Brannan in the UK?
A total of 35 babies have been registered as Brannan across the 8 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.