The name Brandon is derived from an English last name, itself derived from Old English, and is mostly thought to mean a hill covered with broom (a type of shrub). As a first name, though, the name is relatively new, at least in terms of popularity. It entered the Top 1000 list of the most popular boys' name in the US in 1950, and had rapidly climbed in popularity until it reached #6 in the early 1990s (in the 1980s, the name was even a Top 1000 name for girls). However, the name has declined in popularity every year since then, and although being #43 in 2010 makes it still a popular name, it is uncertain how long Brandon will remain a Top 100 name.
