brandon

Brandon is a masculine given name and a surname of English origin. It derives from the English place name Brandon in Suffolk, which is thought to come from Old English elements meaning broom or bramble and hill. The name spread from Britain to the wider English-speaking world and became common in the United States and Canada in the late 20th century as a given name.

In usage, Brandon is primarily male, though there are instances of the name used for girls in modern times. Variants and related names include Branden, Brannon, and Brendan, with Bran commonly used as a nickname.

Notable people with the given name Brandon include actors Brandon Lee and Brandon Routh; musicians Brandon Flowers (The Killers) and Brandon Boyd (Incubus); and athletes such as Brandon Roy (basketball), Brandon Ingram (basketball), and Brandon Marshall (American football). Other writers and public figures named Brandon include Brandon Sanderson, a prolific fantasy author. The surname Brandon is also found and toponyms bearing the name appear in various places.

There are several places named Brandon in North America. Examples in the United States include Brandon, Florida; Brandon, Mississippi; Brandon, Vermont; and Brandon, South Dakota. In Canada, Brandon is a city in Manitoba, known as a regional economic center in the province.

In fiction and popular culture, the name Brandon is used for various characters across books, films, and television, reflecting its broad usage in English-speaking media.