Brady
/ˈbɹeɪ.di/
Brady comes from an Irish surname, an Anglicized form of Ó Brádaigh, derived from the byname Brádach, which may relate to the Irish word for “spirited” or “broad-chested.” The Brady clan had historical seats in County Cavan in the Irish midlands.
American pop culture cemented the name’s familiarity through The Brady Bunch (1969-1974), the sitcom about a blended family that became a defining show of its era and remained in syndication for decades afterward.
The name’s strongest modern association is with quarterback Tom Brady (born 1977), widely considered one of the greatest American football players in history.
What the name Brady means
His 7 Super Bowl victories kept the name in the public consciousness for over 2 decades of NFL dominance.
Brady peaked in the US at No. 93 in 2007, coinciding with Tom Brady’s undefeated regular season with the New England Patriots. The name then gradually declined through the 2010s as the initial enthusiasm faded.
A notable resurgence began around 2022. By 2024, Brady had climbed back to No. 309 with 1,098 births, suggesting the name is finding a new equilibrium in the 300 range after years of gradual decline from its peak.
Brady remains almost exclusively used in English-speaking countries, where its Irish roots and sports associations give it a distinctly athletic, approachable character that resonates with American families.
The name’s 2-syllable structure and strong opening consonant cluster give it an energetic, assertive quality. It reads as both friendly and competitive - qualities that align with its most famous modern bearer.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Brady
Brady - similar names
Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity