Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

154 Shares
154 Shares
WedFeb 12

National Brayden Day – February 12, 2025

National Brayden Day is celebrated every year on February 12 to honor the name and all those who carry it. The name Brayden has its roots in ancient Irish and English folklore, and its popularity rose sharply between the 1990s and 2000s in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. It is a masculine name and is predominantly given to Caucasian males. The name symbolizes the attributes of ‘eutierria,’ which means being one with nature; wisdom; courage; and authenticity.

History of National Brayden Day

Brayden is a popular masculine name that came to prominence sometime between the 1990s and the 2000s, predominantly used in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This name is said to be derived from Scottish, Irish, and English folklore.

It is a contemporary take on the name Braden, an originally Irish-Gaelic name that stems from the word ‘Bradan,’ which means ‘salmon.’ Naming your child after a fish might seem odd, but in Irish culture, this fish holds a lot of significance and represents wisdom and resilience. One example of this is the Salmon of Knowledge, an extremely wise character in Irish mythology who imbued a local boy with wisdom. Due to this myth, the name Braden came to be linked to virtues such as bravery, wisdom, and leadership. In England, this name is primarily connected to people who lived in valleys that were carved by rushing streams. As a result, the name has come to symbolize nature and water. It is now a common moniker for those who love nature and have green thumbs.

Today, the popularity of the name Brayden can be attributed to naming trends dating back to the late 2000s in North America. The masculine names then emphasized the letter ‘n’ along with several variations of the name Aiden, which influenced this name. While the exact impact cannot be described specifically, this name gained popularity following the increase in the usage of names that reflected traits such as uniqueness, youth, and celebrity. Brayden was among the top 500 most popular names in the United States in 1995, and jumped to the top 50 by 2009. However, its popularity started to decline by the 2010s. For parents looking for an attractive yet classic name that represents distinctiveness, vigor, and serenity, this name can be a really good choice.

National Brayden Day timeline

2011
The Most Valuable Player

Canadian ice hockey player Brayden Schenn is named the ‘Most Valuable Player’ at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship.

2014
Brayden in Television

The recurring character of Brayden Holt in the Australian drama series “Wentworth” makes his final appearance in the show’s second season.

2016
A Gold Medal in Paralympics

Australian paralympic Brayden Davidson wins the gold in the Men’s Long Jump T36 event at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

2018
Brayden Leads the Team

Braden Holtby’s goalkeeping performance for the Washington Capitals hockey team earns the team its first Stanley Cup win in its history.

National Brayden Day FAQs

Is Brayden a biblical name?

As the origins of Brayden are derived from the Irish and English symbolisms of nature and broad hillsides, it can be interpreted as a biblical name. ‘Psalm 43:3’ fits well with his name; it says — “Send me Your light and Your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place you dwell.”

How do you spell Brayden in English?

Aside from Brayden, the name has many other spellings such as Bradan, Braedin, Bradyn, Braydyn, Braidyn, Braidun, Braidon, Breadan, Braedan, Braydon, Brydon, Braydan, and many more.

How old is the name Brayden?

This name first appeared on the American popularity charts for masculine names in 1991 but steadily gained traction as a popular name right until the end of the 2000s. Even though it has roots in ancient Ireland, it only appeared as a popular name in Ireland around the 1970s. In the United States, it still tends to be in the top ten names, particularly in the states of Wyoming, Kentucky, North Dakota, and West Virginia.

National Brayden Day Activities

  1. Spend some time with a Brayden

    If you know any Brayden, then spend some time with him today. Let him know about the history of this lovely name and tell him that he is one of your loved ones. This will be a good way to celebrate this day!

  2. Tell a Brayden about his name

    If you run into or meet someone named Brayden today, deliver a nice hello and tell him how much you like this name. It’s a great conversation starter and can become the gateway to making a new friend.

  3. Read the origin stories of Brayden

    The origins of the name Brayden are interesting; it has roots in Irish mythology and English symbolism. Read up on the story of the Salmon of Knowledge and other myths and folktales related to this name today.

5 Fascinating Facts About The Name Brayden

  1. The name reaches its zenith

    The name reached the peak of its popularity in 2011 with 9,056 babies named Brayden that year.

  2. The decline in popularity

    The name saw a fall in its popularity in 2020 when only 3,262 babies named Brayden were recorded in the United States.

  3. No longer in the top 100 names

    According to the United States Census, Brayden is the 111th most common name in the country.

  4. This name can save lives

    The Brayden C.P.R. Manikin is a training dummy for C.P.R. practitioners that won the 2016 iF Product Design Award.

  5. There are many nicknames

    Some common nicknames for the name Brayden include Brad, Brady, Den, and Denny.

Why We Love National Brayden Day

  1. It showcases the inventiveness of parents

    One accepted explanation for this name’s popularity can be the inclination of parents in the 1990s and 2000s to give their children uncommon and overtly unique names. This particularly inventive name fitted the bill.

  2. Reaching the pinnacles of sport

    Several notable sportsmen share the name Brayden, and several of them have achieved the greatest heights in their sport. It’s always nice to see a Brayden at the top of the summit.

  3. It has an interesting meaning

    Fonz says “Ayyyy” in the “Happy Days.” When the Fonz says “Ayyy”, you know that something is cool since this expression is already into the name Brayden, so its coolness is off the charts.

National Brayden Day dates

YearDateDay
2025February 12Wednesday
2026February 12Thursday
2027February 12Friday
2028February 12Saturday
2029February 12Monday

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.