Brenan

Brenan is a surname and, less commonly, a given name of Irish origin. It is a variant spelling of Brennan, and both forms derive from the Gaelic Ó Braonáin, meaning “descendant of Braonán.” The given name Braonán itself is from early Gaelic usage and appears as a personal name in historical records. The Brenan spelling has appeared in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora, and in some cases in Britain and North America, often as a result of Anglicization or transcription differences.

In modern usage, Brennan is generally the more common form, while Brenan remains a rarer variant. The name has been carried by individuals in various fields, including academia, politics, and the arts, with concentrations in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and North America reflecting migration and settlement patterns.

Variants and related names include Brennan, Brannan, and Brannon, all sharing the same Gaelic root. In onomastic references, Brenan is listed as one of several spellings of the same underlying surname derived from Ó Braonáin.

Notable bearers of the Brenan spelling are fewer in number compared to Brennan, and lists of individuals may vary across countries and time periods. As a result, Brenan is primarily encountered as a familial surname, with occasional use as a given name in more recent times. See also Brennan for related names and broader usage.