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ETYMOLOGY: The name Brayden, pronounced BRAY-den, is of Irish/Gaelic origin. Its use as a given name means descendant of Bradn or broad or broad hillside; from old English, it means brave. As a surname, Brayden means salmon.

ORIGIN & HISTORY: There were 11 passengers with the surname Brayden who arrived through the Port of New York at Ellis Island between January 1, 1892 and December 31, 1924.

POPULARITY: The name Brayden has consistently increased in popularity since 1992, when it ranked at 792. In 2006, the name placed at 79.

FACTS: Health care providers use the Braden Scale, an instrument that allows them to score a patient's risk of developing pressure ulcers. The name Brayden lends itself to other businesses, such as Braden Automation Corporation and Brayden Furniture.

NAMESAKES: Braden River is a little twisting river which runs by the historic Linger Lodge in Bradenton, Florida. Braden Castle Park Historic District is listed in the National Register of Historic Places for its architecture and engineering. Fort Braden, Florida was a military outpost in 1839. There was a Fort Braden School in 1919, which was reconstructed in 1928, and today serves as a community center. Braden, Tennessee has a population of 271 (2000).

FAMOUS PERSONS: William Braden was an engineer who built a mining business. The business, located in Chile, would make Braden rich and well-known in his era. It was his son, Spruille, however, who would garner real fame. Spruille Braden, a Democrat, made the cover of Time Magazine in 1945. Spruille Braden was the Assistant Secretary of State for Latin American Affairs. Among his accomplishments, he effected the settlement of the Chaco war (1932-35) between Paraguay and Bolivia by going on the radio and directly addressing the Paraguayan and Bolivian people. As U.S. Ambassador to Cuba, Spruille Braden helped to bring about free elections.

Joseph E. Brayden, Ph.D. in Physiology & Biophysics, received the PHS NIH New Investigator Award (1986-1989) and served as a member of the Experimental Cardiovascular Sciences study center (1992-1996).

Anne Braden (1924-2006) was a civil rights advocate from Louisville, Kentucky.

Thomas Wardell Braden (born 1918) is an American journalist. He joined the CIA in 1940, and in 1950, he became head of International Organizations Division (IOD). Braden later became the co- host of CrossFire, along with Pat Buchanan (CNN). Braden also wrote the autobiographical book, Eight Is Enough, which formed the premise of the television show.

The fictional character, Braden Lavery, made his first appearance on the soap opera, All My Children, in 1998. His sleazy character was killed by his brother, Jonathan.

Braden Hunt is a voice actor who often dubs roles in Japanese anime. His credits include Detective Loki as bandit number 2, Diamond Daydreams as Tezuka, and Full-Metal Panic as Sharai Satoru. Braden's non-anime roles include Hiro in "Unlimited Saga" and Kong Ming, also in "Unlimited Saga."

Braden Jones (born 1983) plays tight end at Southern Illinois University. Braden made a remarkable 115 career tackles at Northwestern, prior to his move to SIU.

In 2005, actor John Braden appeared in three episodes of Law & Order. He had a part as the prosecutor in Woody Allen's 1971 film, Bananas.

NAME VARIANTS: Bradan, Bradden, Braddon, Bradin, Bradon, Braeden, Braedon, Braiden, Braidin, Braydan, Brayden and Braydon

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