Brénainn

Brénainn is a masculine given name in the Irish language. It is the Gaelic form associated with the name Brendan and has historical use in Ireland and among Gaelic-speaking communities.

The name appears in medieval Irish manuscripts as Brénainn, with variants such as Bréanainn, Bréanndáin, Breannáin, and Breandáin. The English form Brendan is derived from these Gaelic variants. In modern Irish, Brénainn is still encountered in some contexts, especially in genealogical records or family names; common Anglicizations include Brendan and Brenan.

Usage and notable bearers: Brénainn is primarily seen in historical records rather than as a common contemporary given name. It appears in genealogies and parish registers. The most famous related name is Saint Brendan the Navigator, known in Gaelic as Bréanndán or Breandán, which helped popularize the Brendan name tradition.

Brénainn remains a recognized part of the Irish onomastic heritage, reflecting Ireland’s medieval naming practices and the enduring cultural link between Gaelic forms and their Anglicized counterparts.