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Brenna

Girl name · 31 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Brenna: 31 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 5 births in 2001.

Of Celtic origin, Brenna is a feminine form of the masculine name Brendan, rooted in the Old Irish *Brénainn*, which likely means "prince" or "little raven." It shares its heritage with the legendary 6th-century Saint Brendan the Navigator, though the feminine adaptation is a more modern creation, popularised in Scotland and Ireland alongside its cousin Brenda. Brenna carries a soft yet strong sound, evoking the wild coastal landscapes of the Highlands. A notable bearer is Brenna Ogorzelec, a Polish artist known for her ethereal sculptures. In Scotland, the name saw steady use from the 1970s onward, occasionally linked to the Gaelic *bréan* for "sorrow" or "teardrop," though this is less certain. A charming variant is the Irish Bréanainn, while the name's raven symbolism ties it to Norse, Celtic, and even Native American folklore as a creature of mystery and intelligence.