"descendant of Bradan (salmon)"
Braeden
A Celtic valley name from the -aden generation
Meaning & Origin
"broad valley"
The Story of Braeden
Braeden is a variant spelling of Braden, from the Irish surname O Bradain meaning descendant of Bradan, where bradan means salmon. Alternatively, it may derive from the Old English word brad meaning broad, combined with dun (hill) or denu (valley). As a first name, Braden and its variants (Braeden, Brayden, Braden) became popular in America in the 1990s-2000s as part of the -aden name craze alongside Aiden, Caden, and Jaden.
Braeden and its variant spellings exploded in popularity in the late 1990s and 2000s as part of a broader American trend for -den and -en ending boys names. Aiden, Caden, Jaden, and Braden all peaked together, becoming synonymous with millennial children. The name has since declined as the trend ran its course.
The -aden name phenomenon of the 2000s was remarkable in naming history -- several phonetically similar names (Aiden, Caden, Hayden, Braden, Jaden) all peaked simultaneously, creating entire school cohorts with rhyming names. Parents liked the Irish/Celtic sound combined with the modern -en ending.
Fun Facts
- Braden and its variants ranked in the US top 100 from roughly 2000-2015
- The -aden suffix became one of the most common endings in American boys names in the 2000s
- The name shares roots with the Irish word for salmon, which was a sacred fish in Celtic mythology
Braeden in Other Languages
Famous People Named Braeden
Braeden Lemasters
Musician
1994
American musician and actor, member of the band MAGIC!
Braden Holtby
Athlete
1989
Canadian NHL ice hockey goaltender who won the Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals in 2018
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,411
- Total SSA Count
- 58
- Cultural Origins
- American Irish Scottish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Braeden is also used as a girl name, ranked #21401.
View Braeden as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Braeden
What does the name Braeden mean?
What is the origin of the name Braeden?
Is Braeden a boy or girl name?
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How many syllables does Braeden have?
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About the Name Braeden
Braeden is a boy name with American, Irish, and Scottish origins . The name means "descendant of Bradan (salmon)" in Irish Gaelic .
Is Braeden a boy or girl name? Braeden is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,411 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #21,401. Braeden is more commonly used as a boy name.
Braeden is currently ranked #2,411 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Braeden has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Braeden include Brae and Brady. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Braeden include Braelyn . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.