what does brandon mean

Brandon is an English-language masculine given name with two main roots. From Old English place‑names it derives from the elements brom (broom, a type of shrub) + dun (hill), giving the meaning “hill covered with broom” or “broom hill.” It also appears as an Anglicized form of Irish surnames derived from Branán, a diminutive of Bran (meaning “raven”), so it can be interpreted as “little raven” or “descendant of Bran.” Pronounced /ˈbræn.dən/, common variants include Branden, Brandan, and Brandin, and typical nicknames are Bran or Brandy. The name has been widely used in English-speaking countries, especially from the late 20th century onward.