Meaning & Origin
A female given name.
Brenda is a girl's and boy's baby name most likely of Old Norse origin, derived from the Norse brandr, meaning "sword" or "torch." It arrived in English via Scotland, where it was also connected to the Gaelic masculine name Brendan.
Brenda was enormously popular in the United States from the 1930s through the 1960s, peaking in the top 10. The name carries a bold mid-century confidence — strong enough to name comic strip heroine Brenda Starr, the fearless globe-trotting reporter who debuted in 1940. Brenda is ripe for rediscovery by parents who love names with real character.