Brenda
How to say it: BREN-duh · /ˈbrɛndə/
Likely from Old Norse 'brandr' meaning 'sword' or 'torch'. Also associated with Irish name Bréanainn.
Brenda was the 1,222nd most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 139 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1950s, its births are down about 59% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #1,475 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #1,222 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 139 |
| Share of births | 1 in 23,851 |
| Peak decade | 1950s |
| Change over 10 years | −59% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #1,475 |
| In France, 2025 | #2,541 among girls’ names, 5 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Brenda crested in the 1950s and has thinned out steadily since. Now far below its former height, it looks set to drift lower in the years ahead.
What goes with it
With firm consonants and two even beats, Brenda feels blunt and midcentury in tone. Sandra moves in the same circle.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Brenda is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Irish, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish.
In France: #2,541 for girls in 2025.
Famous people named Brenda
- Brenda Song (born 1988)American actress and model
- Brenda Vaccaro (born 1939)American actress
- Brenda Lee (born 1944)American singer and recording artist
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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