Updated October 2026
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Spelling variation of Breccan, Irish
"freckled, speckled"
Breccan may be the original saints' name, but in the modern U.S., the spelling Brecken is the most popular form, followed by Breckin. A winner by any spelling.
Irish
"yellow"
She's the bff of Blair, Blake, and Brooke who shop at Bergdorf's, Bonwits and Bendel's.
Irish variation of Brennan
Occasionally used as an alternative to Brandon or Brennan.
"descendent of the sad one"
Brennan is an Irish last name that could join the group of similar names now ranking among the top Irish names for baby girls in the US: Riley, Kennedy, and Quinn. Currently, only 16 baby girls were…
Diminutive of Blaine or Irish surname
"yellow; tip, point; creek"
Similar in style to Blakely, Blair, and Oakley, Blaney could be considered a nickname for Blane (meaning "yellow"), or an Irish surname and place name, referring to either the point or tip of a river…
"strength or exalted one"
Brighid is the original Gaelic form of the name of the mythological goddess of fire, poetry, and wisdom. More commonly found these days in any number of different guises: Bridget, Brigid, Brigitte et…
"salmon"
This now-popular name has spawned several different spellings. Many parents choose it solely for its style and sound, but we like the history behind this version: the bradan feasa is the "Salmon of…
Irish "spear"
"spear"
Out-of-date for a boy, innovative for a girl.
irish
"little raven"
Branigan, also spelled Branagan or Brannigan, is an Irish name full of energy and cheer. It was the title of a 1975 John Wayne movie, and Zapp Brannigan is the antihero of the animated sitcom…
This Irish name of a saint from the Isle of Aran also appears in myth and fantasy fiction, giving it an intriguing, mystical air. Some modern parents are attempting to update the spelling, as in the…
Breácan is a masculine Irish name pronounced approximately as "BRAY-uh-kun." It derives from the Irish word "breac," meaning "speckled" or "freckled." Historically, it may have been used as a…
"sorrow"
An old saint's name that, even with the post-Aidan wave of Irish names, is a bit too close to crone.
"dweller near the Brosna River"
Actor Pierce made both his first and last name appealing.
Barnaib is the Scottish Gaelic form of Barnabas, a name with ancient Biblical roots. In the New Testament, Barnabas was an early Christian disciple whose name is interpreted as 'son of encouragement'…
"sorrowful"
Saint Bronach or Bronagh was a female mystic and a sixth century follower of Saint Patrick. Today, the name is most often heard in the modern form of Brona. Bronagh was a character in the Irish…
Bronagh, along with Anglicized form Brona, is a popular name in Ireland. It's the name of a sixth century mystic as well as a modern television character on Penny Dreadful.
"fair-headed"
Barra is a Gaelic-speaking island in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, that's been inhabited since the Neolithic era. A male nickname for Finbarr in Ireland, as well as a stand-alone name, Barra was used…
Irish and English diminutive of Bridget
A once very common Irish diminutive of Bridget that has unfortunately been associated since the 18th century with a pejorative slang term for an old or fussy woman.
English and Scottish diminutive of Bridget, Irish
"strength, exalted one"
Vintage short form of Bridget, very rarely still heard in Irish Catholic communities.
English or Irish
"broad hill or salmon"
One in the currently modish aden family of boys' names beginning to be used for girls as well as boys. The name Brayden was given to 15 baby girls in the US last year....and over 5000 baby boys, so…