Brendan (given name)

Breandán in a Gaelic type
Pronunciation	BREN-dan
Gender	Masculine
Language(s)	English
Language(s)	Irish
Word/name	Breandán
Cognate(s)	Brandon, Breanndán, Brénainn, Brendanus, Brendon
See also	Brenda, Brennan

Brendan is an Irish masculine given name in the English language. It is derived from the Gaelic name Breandán, which is in turn derived from the earlier Old Irish Brénainn. The Old Welsh breenhin is the root of the name, meaning Prince or King. The mediaeval Latin form of the name, Brendanus, has also influenced the modern English and Irish forms. Variant spellings of Brendan are Brendon and Brenden. In some cases it is possible that the given name Brandon is also a variant of Brendan. A variant spelling of the Irish Breandán is Breanndán.

The English Brendan is an Anglicised form of the Irish Breandán. This Irish name is derived from the Old Irish Brénainn. This Old Irish personal name, (pronounced [br'ēn-in'], is derived from a borrowing of the Welsh language word breenhín, meaning "a prince". Both the English form, Brendan, and the modern Irish form, Breandán, are based upon the mediaeval Latin form Brendanus. According to one old Irish text there are 17 saints with the name. When used in an Irish sentence it can take the form Bhreandán e.g. A Bhreandán or ..do Bhreandán. Variation of the Irish Breandán are Breanndán, Bhreandán and Bhreandáin.

There is no etymological link between Brendan and Brenda. This feminine given name, pronounced /ˈbrɛndə/, is thought to be derived from the Old Norse element brand, meaning "(flaming) sword". In most cases, the masculine given name Brandon, pronounced /ˈbrændən/, is considered to be derived from the surname Brandon, which is in turn derived from two Old English elements. However, in some cases it is possible that this given name may be a variant of BrendanHowever Brendan Staunton is not

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