Brenda
Brenda: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈbɹɛndə/
Meaning and origin of Brenda
Root meaning: “sword”
- A female given name.
Etymology
Possibly from Old Norse brandr (“sword”); by folk etymology seen as a feminine form of Brendan. Its use as a nickname for Queen Elizabeth II originated in Private Eye in reaction to a perceived attempt by the royals to appear less distant and upper class.
How popular is Brenda?
Since 1880, 608,478 girls and 2,119 boys in the U.S. have been named Brenda (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #11 in 1961. Its highest rank for boys was #901 in 1961. In 2025, 139 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Brenda
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
Sibling name ideas for Brenda
Names that peaked around the same time as Brenda and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Brenda FAQ
What does the name Brenda mean?
Brenda traces back to a root meaning "sword". A female given name. Possibly from Old Norse brandr (“sword”); by folk etymology seen as a feminine form of Brendan. Its use as a nickname for Queen Elizabeth II originated in Private Eye in reaction to a perceived attempt by the royals to appear less distant and upper class.
How popular is the name Brenda?
Since 1880, 608,478 girls and 2,119 boys in the U.S. have been named Brenda (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #11 in 1961. Its highest rank for boys was #901 in 1961. In 2025, 139 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Brenda a boy or girl name?
Brenda is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 608,478 girls and 2,119 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.