Brady is an Irish given name meaning "descendant of Bradach." It originates from an Irish surname, an Anglicized form of Ó Brádaigh, itself derived from the byname Brádach, which comes from bradach meaning "thieving, roguish, spirited." Etymology and History The name Brady traces back to the Gaelic Ó Brádaigh, denoting a descendant of Brádach. This byname likely described a person with a spirited or roguish nature. The surname became established in Ireland, particularly in counties Cavan and Monaghan. Over time, as Irish names were Anglicized, Brady emerged as a common surname. Its use as a given name gained traction in the 20th century, initially in the United States. Cultural Significance Brady became widely recognized through pop culture. The fictitious Brady family on the television series The Brady Bunch (1969–1974) brought the name into mainstream American households. On the sports field, Tom Brady, an American football quarterback with seven Super Bowl wins, further popularized the surname. In recent years, Brady has been a steadily used given name in English-speaking countries, ranking 69th in U.S. baby names in 2020. Notable Bearers Notable individuals named Brady include Brady Anderson (former Major League Baseball star), Brady Barr (herpetologist and television presenter), and Brady Aiken (baseball player). The name also appears in sports, music, and entertainment, as seen by Brady Blade (musician) and Brady Bluhm (actor). Variants and Related Forms The variant Braidy is used occasionally. Meaning: Descendant of Brádach ("spirited" or "thieving") Origin: Irish (via Ó Brádaigh) Type: Given name (original surname) Usage Regions: English-speaking countries, particularly USA and Ireland