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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

What can Bran be short for?

32 replies

Radish9 · 08/09/2014 10:31

Hi everyone. We're expecting our 3rd baby in the new year, and are struggling with names big time. My DH considers my suggestions silly, and I think his are boring!
He vaguely suggested Brandon; we both like Bran (and have read the Game of Thrones books!) but Brandon feels a bit 'Jayden' to me. Can anyone suggest another name that can shorten to Bran? I know it can be used as a name in its own right, but it feels unfinished to me.
Many thanks!

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 10/09/2014 19:49

Love the name Bran. Brandon is okay but may have 'naughty boy' issues in some places, maybe. Love Branwell.

You might like Bram (Abraham) too.

Sparky05 · 10/09/2014 16:31

Branston - could be Branston pickle

Eauneau · 09/09/2014 14:35

I have read the GOT books as well and think its quite a cool name - but as you say, it will forever be associated with breakfast cereal!

Original poster
Radish9 · 09/09/2014 12:46

Thank you everyone for your comments and suggestions! It seems the mumsnet opinion matches my own - thinks Bran is cool most of the time but can't quite shake the reference to breakfast cereal!

OP posts:
MissWimpyDimple · 09/09/2014 12:25

I think it's a lifetime of "No, not Brian, BRAN, like the cereal"

Having said that, I quite like it!

alexmthom · 09/09/2014 12:11

Branwell was Charlotte Bronte's brother's name, (painter and poet) - although am sure you have stumbled upon that fact online, so it is actually quite a classy, literary name. I like it, but then I like bold name choices! We live in London and it is v cosmopolitan in our area, so you can pretty much get away with anything, without sounding weird! We are going for a bold one too for our son, and have decided to ignore all the neg stuff that i have read on the forums - nearly every name someone asks about, people have bad commetns to make, so have decided to stick to my guns on ours. Have fun deciding! :)

MrsRuffdiamond · 08/09/2014 22:13

Another vote for Branigan/Branagan

thegreylady · 08/09/2014 22:09

I like Bran very much. One of the chief characters in Susan Cooper's 'The Grey King', part of The Dark is Rising, is a Welsh boy named Bran.

aoife24 · 08/09/2014 19:59

Branston comes to mind here.

PestoSurfissimos · 08/09/2014 18:02

Bran Flakes

LuisSuarezTeeth · 08/09/2014 17:49

AllBran.

Sorry. Blush

Sophronia · 08/09/2014 17:47

Branwell or Brannagan. But I prefer Branwell.

Scoobsmam13 · 08/09/2014 16:51

My sisters middle name is Brannigan. That could work?

TalcumPowder · 08/09/2014 16:31

What Squoosh said. It's a bit like calling your child Pegasus because you like the sound and expecting people not to think of flying mythic horses. And yes, in terms of Irish school textbooks for my generation, it's the equivalent of calling your child Fido or Tibby.

Branwell is cool, though Branwell Bronte (drug addict, drunk, all-round failure and possible paedophile) is maybe not a wonderful namesake and role model.

There's a theatre director called Braham Murray, presumably short for Abraham...?

ButterflyOfFreedom · 08/09/2014 16:17

I like Bran / Branwell - though it does sound a little made up maybe??

I really like Bram too...

funnyoldonion · 08/09/2014 16:03

Love Bran and I think Branwell is a very good name, I'm putting it on my list. Also I really don't think Brandon is in the Jayden etc camp it's much more classy x

squoosh · 08/09/2014 14:34

I know everyone says 'NameA', 'NameB', 'NameC' is a dog's name but in Ireland Bran really is a dog's name.

Bran was the name of a hound belonging to the legendary Fionn MacCumhaill's and when I was in primary school Bran was always the name given to the dog in our readers. I'd struggle to imagine the name on a human. But that's just me.

TravellingToad · 08/09/2014 13:25

Branley
Aubran

GreatJoanUmber · 08/09/2014 12:14

Branwell would also combine Bran and Samwell, then you can have two Game of Thrones /ASoIaF characters in one name Grin

Footle · 08/09/2014 11:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Azquilith · 08/09/2014 11:49

Sorry. Had to. Nice name actually.

Azquilith · 08/09/2014 11:49

Branflakes.

TaurielTest · 08/09/2014 11:46

If you like it, I'd just go for Bran. IKYWM flora about saying "Brahn" - but I'd be worried about that sounding like a very posh person saying "Brian".

OwlCapone · 08/09/2014 11:43

Bram would be better, IMO.

OwlCapone · 08/09/2014 11:42

I irrevocably associate Bran with a high fibre cereal.

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