Brenda

Meaning of Brenda

It means 'sword' or 'blaze', suggesting someone strong and fiery. The name implies a powerful or notable presence.

Brenda has Old Norse roots — browse every Old Norse baby name in our catalog.

Popularity of Brenda

After ranking as high as #172 in 2000, Brenda has fallen out of the US top 1,000 as of 2025.

Notable people named Brenda

• Brenda Lee
  Iconic American singer, 'Rockin' Around'
• Brenda Song
  American actress, Disney Channel star
• Brenda Blethyn
  Oscar-nominated English actress, 'Vera'
• Brenda Vaccaro
  Veteran American actress, stage & screen
• Brenda Chapman
  Oscar-winning animation director, 'Brave'

More Old Norse names

Questions about the name Brenda

What does the name Brenda mean?

Brenda means it means 'sword' or 'blaze', suggesting someone strong and fiery. the name implies a powerful or notable presence, and it comes from Old Norse origins.

Is Brenda a boy's or a girl's name?

Brenda is most commonly used as a girl's name in the United States.

How popular is the name Brenda?

Brenda did not appear in the top 1,000 baby names in 2025, which makes it a genuinely uncommon pick.

When was Brenda most popular?

Brenda peaked at #172 in 2000.