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The Curious Bag
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The name Brenda is very old, and until recently, used in a limited geographical area. There are 14 feminine variations of the name, some more common than others.
Etymology
Brenda, pronounced BREN-dah, is a feminine name with Old Norse roots. It is assumed to be from the Norse word Brandr, which means "sword."
Variations
According to Think Baby Names, the name Brenda has 14 variations. They are Bren, Brendah, Brendalynn, Brendell, Brendette, Brendie, Brendolyn, Brendyl, Brenn, Brennda, Brenndah, Brinda, Brynda and Labrenda. The U.S. Census also lists Breanna and Brenna as similar names, with Breanna being a popular choice for naming new babies and Brenna a lesser one than Brenda.
Masculine
The masculine form of Brenda is Brendan. It is pronounced BREN-den, which means "prince." It is of Irish, Gaelic and Celtic origin.
Geographic Prevalence
Brenda is a given name in English-speaking countries. Until the 20th century, it was used mostly in Scotland and Ireland.
Popularity
In the United States, Brenda has seen a rise and fall in popularity. In 2008 the U.S. Census ranked it 342st in usage for naming new babies, while in 1999 it was 160. In the United States, it saw a height in popularity in the 1940s onward, reaching a ranking as high as 11 in 1961 before declining each year.
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