Brandon

Meaning: (Derived from a surname and place name based on the Old English for 'Hill Covered with Broom'. Broom is a prolific weed, also 'From the Beacon Hill', Little Raven, Prince, and Brave.

This surname is a habitational name, derived from any of the numerous places in England called Brandon. Such places can include: Brandon, County Durham; Brandon, Northumbria; Brandon, Suffolk; Brandon, Warwickshire; and other locations. For the most part, the names of these places are derived from two Old English language elements: Brōm, meaning "Broom", "Gorse"; and Dūn, meaning Hill". However, one location, Brandon in Lincolnshire, may be connected to the River Brant, which runs close by. This river's name is derived from two Old English elements: Brant, meaning "Steep", "Deep"; and Dūn, meaning "Hill". The name of this location is probably in reference to the river's steep banks.

In some cases, it is also possible that the given name Brandon is a variant form of the Irish given name Brendan. This name is an Anglicized form of the old Gaelic language name, Bréanainn, which in turn is derived from a Celtic language element meaning "Prince".)

Origin: (Old English)

Pronunciation: (BRAN-dən)

Gender: Male

I had a friend some years back named Brandon. It is a pretty common name which doesn’t win me over as I am not a fan of really popular names but the plus for an author when it comes to popular names is it’s easily recognized, pronounced and easy on most anyone. Most of the meanings are really nice and strong sounding. It’s a nice English name as well. I am not in love with the name but I don’t hate it either. It seems more of a secondary character type name to me though. Many of the naming forums I visited however were quite disturbing as more people talked about the virility of men named Brandon verses actually talking about the name in general.

There are some nice nickname options and I wouldn’t mind seeing this name as it is easily recognized and pronounceable as I’ve said so it wouldn’t be hard to read if you had to keep seeing this name in a novel.