Braden
Anglicised from an Irish surname Ó Bradáin (“descendant of Bradán”), from a personal name meaning "salmon," from bradán (“salmon”).
Every Braden since 1916 — 46,512 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Braden
Braden is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,152 in 2025 with 183 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1916, 46,512 American babies have been named Braden. Its peak came in 2005, when 3,058 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Braden stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Braden year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 183 | #1,152 |
| 2024 | — | — | 159 | #1,244 |
| 2023 | — | — | 187 | #1,129 |
| 2022 | — | — | 245 | #935 |
| 2021 | — | — | 255 | #903 |
| 2020 | — | — | 287 | #809 |
| 2019 | — | — | 388 | #671 |
| 2018 | — | — | 480 | #576 |
| 2017 | — | — | 513 | #546 |
| 2016 | — | — | 599 | #501 |
| 2015 | — | — | 758 | #411 |
| 2014 | — | — | 894 | #357 |
| 2013 | 5 | #16,981 | 965 | #335 |
| 2012 | 7 | #13,733 | 1,135 | #303 |
| 2011 | — | — | 1,342 | #259 |
| 2010 | — | — | 1,710 | #207 |
| 2009 | 5 | #17,749 | 2,034 | #185 |
| 2008 | 7 | #14,082 | 2,524 | #156 |
| 2007 | 6 | #15,804 | 2,689 | #156 |
| 2006 | 17 | #7,200 | 2,857 | #143 |
| 2005 | 12 | #8,984 | 3,046 | #133 |
| 2004 | 22 | #5,596 | 2,621 | #154 |
| 2003 | 10 | #9,786 | 2,353 | #170 |
| 2002 | 24 | #4,924 | 2,291 | #168 |
| 2001 | 13 | #7,799 | 1,923 | #191 |
| 2000 | 22 | #5,170 | 1,733 | #204 |
| 1995 | 18 | #5,249 | 817 | #322 |
| 1990 | — | — | 396 | #486 |
| 1985 | — | — | 276 | #525 |
| 1980 | — | — | 147 | #721 |
| 1975 | 6 | #8,086 | 85 | #895 |
| 1970 | — | — | 67 | #991 |
| 1965 | — | — | 40 | #1,209 |
| 1960 | — | — | 11 | #2,549 |
| 1955 | — | — | 22 | #1,651 |
| 1950 | — | — | 12 | #2,221 |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Braden
- Braden Holtby Hockey player · b. 1989
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Braden mean?
Anglicised from an Irish surname Ó Bradáin (“descendant of Bradán”), from a personal name meaning "salmon," from bradán (“salmon”).
How popular is the name Braden in 2025?
Braden ranked #1,152 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 183 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Braden?
46,512 babies have been named Braden in the United States since 1916, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Braden most popular?
Braden peaked in 2005, when 3,058 newborns received the name.
Is Braden a boy or girl name?
Braden is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Braden rising or falling?
Braden is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Braden?
Well-known people named Braden include Braden Holtby (hockey player).