Brenda
For the enzyme database, see BRENDA.
| Brenda | |
|---|---|
| Gender | Feminine |
| Language(s) | English |
| Other names | |
| See also | Brendan |
Brenda is a feminine given name in the English language.
Etymology
The name is of uncertain origin. It may be derived from a Scandinavian language, rather than a Celtic language like the similarly-spelt masculine given name Brendan. It is possible that Brenda may be derived in part from the Old Norse element brand, meaning "(flaming) sword".[1]
Popularity
Prior to the 20th century, Brenda was primarily used in Ireland and Scotland,[1] later it became popular in England.[2] Its use in the Gaelic-speaking countries is attributed to the similar, although likely etymologically unrelated masculine name Brendan.[1]
"Brenda" is used as a nickname for Queen Elizabeth II by the satirical magazine Private Eye. The comedian Stanley Baxter played the "Duchess of Brenda", a character loosely based on the Queen.
People
- Brenda Archer, Guyanese high jumper
- Brenda Benet, actress
- Brenda Blethyn, English actress
- Brenda Brabham, American beauty queen and QVC model
- Brenda Bruce, English actress
- Brenda Bufalino, tap dancer
- Brenda Buttner, TV news
- Brenda Castillo, Dominican Republic volleyball player
- Brenda Chapman, American film director
- Brenda Davies, wife of Robertson Davies
- Brenda De Banzie, British actress of stage and screen
- Brenda Dervin, American Professor, The Ohio State University
- Brenda Dickson, American actress, originated the role of Jill Foster on The Young and the Restless
- Brenda Eisler, Canadian long jumper
- Brenda Fassie, South African pop singer
- Brenda Fricker, Irish actress
- Brenda Gibbs, Australian actress
- Brenda Hale, Baroness Hale of Richmond, first female Lord of Appeal in Ordinary
- Brenda Joyce:
- Brenda Joyce (author), American writer
- Brenda Joyce (actress) (1917-2009), American film actress (1930sā1940s)
- Brenda Lee, American singer
- Brenda Maddox, biographer
- Brenda Marshall, American actress
- Brenda Matthews, New Zealand sprinter
- Brenda Pye, English artist
- Brenda Reimer, the name by which David Reimer was known until age 13
- Brenda Robertson, Canadian politician
- Brenda Romero, American game designer
- Brenda Russell, American singer/songwriter
- Brenda Sue Schaefer, murder victim
- Brenda Schultz-McCarthy, Dutch former tennis player
- Brenda Song, American actress and singer, stars as London Tipton in "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody"
- Brenda Ann Spencer, American convicted murderer
- Brenda K. Starr, American singer
- Brenda Stauffer, field hockey player
- Brenda Strong, American actress
- Brenda Vaccaro, Italian-American actress
- Brenda Venus, American actress, writer, and director
- Brenda Villa, Mexican-American polo player
Fictional characters
- Brenda, character from Perfect Hair Forever
- Brenda, nickname of Rope Girl, character from the animated Disney show Teamo Supremo
- Brenda, daughter of Magnus Troil, character in Sir Walter Scott's novel The Pirate
- Brenda Barrett Corinthos, character on the soap opera General Hospital
- Brenda Bates, character in Urban Legend
- Brenda Chenowith, character in Six Feet Under
- Brenda Jenkins, character in 227
- Lady Brenda Last, character in A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh
- Brenda Meeks, friend of Cindy Campbell of Scary Movie series played by Regina Hall. In A Vampire's love, Regina's character had the same name and is played by Emily Shepherd.
- Brenda Morgenstern, character in the sitcom Rhoda played by Julie Kavner
- Brenda Starr, Reporter, a comic strip about a glamorous, adventurous female reporter. The character was portrayed in the 1989 film of the same name by actress Brooke Shields.
- Brenda Walsh, character in Beverly Hills, 90210 (TV series 1990-2000) played by Shannen Doherty.
Places
- Canada
References
- ā 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hanks, Patrick; Hardcastle, Kate; Hodges, Flavia (2006), A Dictionary of First Names, Oxford Paperback Reference (2nd ed.), Oxford: Oxford University Press, p. 38, ISBN 978-0-19-861060-1
- ā Learn about the family history of your surname, Ancestry.com, retrieved 17 November 2010 which cited: A Dictionary of First Names, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-280050-7 for the surnames "Brenda".