Brendan

Brendan is a masculine given name of Irish origin. It is the anglicized form of the medieval Gaelic Bréanainn (also Brénainn), a name associated with Saint Brendan the Navigator, a 5th‑century Irish monk famed for his legendary sea voyage. The exact etymology is debated, with theories linking Bréanainn to roots meaning noble or raven, but there is no consensus on a single definitive meaning.

The name has long been used in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora and has since spread to other English-speaking countries. It remains a common given name in many places and has several variant spellings, though Brendan is the standard form in most contexts.

Notable people named Brendan include the Irish actor Brendan Gleeson; the Canadian‑American actor Brendan Fraser; the Northern Irish football manager Brendan Rodgers; the Canadian former hockey player and executive Brendan Shanahan; the Irish comedian and actor Brendan O’Carroll; and the American programmer Brendan Eich, co‑founder of Mozilla and creator of JavaScript. These individuals illustrate the name’s adoption across arts, sports, technology and entertainment.

In fiction, Brendan is the name of the title character in The Secret of Kells (2009), a film inspired by Saint Brendan’s legends. The name also appears in various books and media as a male given name.