girls' name · peaked 1981

Brandy

A female given name from English derived from brandy, an alcoholic liquor.

Every Brandy since 1942 — 108,861 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
1.252.53.75518801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
#3,072
among girls
Babies in 2025
58
named Brandy
Peak year
1981
6,963 babies
All-time total
108,861
since 1942

The story of Brandy

Brandy is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #3,072 in 2025 with 53 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1942, 108,861 American babies have been named Brandy. Its peak came in 1981, when 6,963 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.

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 Brandy stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Brandy 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 53 #3,072 5 #12,310
2024 49 #3,236 12 #6,895
2023 57 #2,941 6 #11,022
2022 44 #3,547 13 #6,536
2021 43 #3,557
2020 47 #3,293 6 #10,790
2019 49 #3,232 6 #10,981
2018 65 #2,652 13 #6,396
2017 69 #2,550 13 #6,369
2016 80 #2,347 12 #6,783
2015 66 #2,687 11 #7,133
2014 93 #2,082 16 #5,509
2013 121 #1,714 18 #5,003
2012 132 #1,633 15 #5,749
2011 146 #1,515 22 #4,384
2010 177 #1,329 22 #4,377
2009 233 #1,093 27 #3,844
2008 250 #1,046 28 #3,750
2007 314 #887 24 #4,138
2006 342 #798 23 #4,116
2005 378 #723 33 #3,096
2004 417 #657 24 #3,744
2003 454 #600 22 #3,848
2002 559 #496 27 #3,269
2001 587 #474 25 #3,422
2000 720 #398 17 #4,420
1995 1,508 #195 31 #2,450
1990 2,266 #137 37 #2,016
1985 3,901 #70 51 #1,357
1980 6,410 #42 74 #1,047
1975 4,944 #57 103 #818
1970 610 #385 57 #1,081
1965 90 #1,110 14 #2,191
1960 37 #1,857 8 #3,117
1955 27 #2,067
1950 12 #3,071
1945 6 #4,072
1940
1935
1930
1925
1920
1915
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Brandy

  1. Brandy Ledford Actor · b. 1969
  2. Brandy Norwood Singer · b. 1979
  3. Brandy Aniston Pornographic actor · b. 1984

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Brandy mean?

A female given name from English derived from brandy, an alcoholic liquor.

How popular is the name Brandy in 2025?

Brandy ranked #3,072 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 53 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Brandy?

108,861 babies have been named Brandy in the United States since 1942, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Brandy most popular?

Brandy peaked in 1981, when 6,963 newborns received the name.

Is Brandy a boy or girl name?

Brandy is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 98% of babies with the name.

Is the name Brandy rising or falling?

Brandy is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Brandy?

Well-known people named Brandy include Brandy Ledford (actor), Brandy Norwood (singer), Brandy Aniston (pornographic actor).

Names like Brandy

Compare Brandy with similar names →