Brand is a name of German origin meaning "sword" or "blade." It was traditionally given to boys and is still more commonly used for males today. However, in recent years it has also been used as a girls' name. The name has a strong and powerful sound, which may be why it is often associated with strength and bravery.
The name Brand first appeared in England during the Middle Ages, brought over by German immigrants. It was not particularly popular at this time, but it did gain some usage among the nobility. In the 19th century, the name began to appear more frequently, likely due to its use as a given name in Germany.
One famous bearer of the name Brand is the Viking chieftain Brandr Bjornsson, who was said to have raided England in the early 9th century. This historical figure may have contributed to the name's association with strength and bravery.
Today, the name Brand continues to be used primarily as a boys' name, although it has seen some increase in popularity for girls in recent years. It is not particularly common, but it remains a distinctive and strong-sounding option for parents looking for an unusual name for their child.
The name Brande experienced significant popularity between the mid-70s and early-80s, with a peak of 173 births in 1974. However, its usage has steadily declined since then, reaching as low as 5 births in some years from the late 90s to 2004. In total, Brande has been given to 1141 newborns over this period.