Given name & surname · also Gaelic
Braden
“resembling salmon”·“from the wide valley”
Braden is used as a given name and a surname. Interpretations include “resembling salmon” and “from the wide valley”. These belong to different or overlapping naming contexts.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Interpretations include “resembling salmon” and “from the wide valley”. These belong to different or overlapping naming contexts.
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is English.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1916. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Braden through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 46,512
- 46,235 boys · 277 girls
- Most popular year
- 2005
- 3,058 babies
- 2025
- 183
- #1,152 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −55%
- Cooling
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 183 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 1,152 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 54.6% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 3,046 in 2005. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (15). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 43,698 as a first name in 2020; 12,547 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Braden’s family of names
In English usage, Braden has a related form in Brayden. Braden has a related form in Brayden. In English usage, Braden has an alternative spelling in Braeden.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 26
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
People named Braden
- Braden HoltbyCanadian ice hockey goaltenderborn 1989
- Braden SchneiderCanadian ice hockey playerborn 2001
- ClavicularAmerican streamer and influencer in the incelosphere and manospere (born 2005)
- Braden Looperstarting pitcher in Major League Baseballborn 1974
- Braden SmithAmerican football playerborn 1996
- Braden KingAmerican photographer and filmmakerborn 1971
- Braden GellenthienAmerican archerborn 1986
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Appears in
Similar names
If you love Braden, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Brayan
Brayan is a masculine given name from English. It is used in Spanish and Azerbaijani.
>99% boys
Brady
“a large-chested woman” · “the son of a large-chested man”
96% boys · 4% girls
Jaden
“resembling the green gemstone”
97% boys · 3% girls
Caden
“a battlemaiden” · “spirt of battle •”
99% boys · 1% girls
Brock
“resembling a badger”
>99% boys
Jalen
“one who is calm; a healer” · “one who heals others; one who is tranquil”
99% boys · 1% girls
Rohan
“a red-haired man” · “one who ascends”
99% boys · 1% girls
Aidan
“one who is fiery; little fire” · “a fiery young man”
99% boys · 1% girls