Braden is an anglicization of the Irish Ó Brádain, which means "grandson or descendant of Bradán." Bradán is a name derived from the word "salmon." Salmon figured prominently in Irish mythology; in one of the Fionn Mac Cumhaill (Finn MacCool) tales, Fionn eats the Salmon of Knowledge and gains all the wisdom in the world.
As a name, Braden rose to popularity in the 2000s, where its glory probably comes from the fact that it rhymes with other popular names like Aidan, Caden, and Jayden. As of 2012, multiple spellings were found in the top 7000, including (in order of popularity): Brayden, Braden, Braydon, Braeden, Braiden, Bradyn, Braedyn, Braedon, Braydin, Breyden, Braydan, Braydyn, Bradon, Braedan, Braidyn, Breydon, Bradan, Braidon, Breydan, Braydn, Bradin, Braydenn, Bradynn, Breiden
See Also: Braedyn, Braedon, Braiden, Brayden