The Elvish element tol for a (steep-sided) island is well established, but even Tolkien himself seemed uncertain about Brandir; he tentatively suggested that it derived from a speculative origin baradnir, literally meaning 'tower-steep'. The island's name has no connection whatsoever to Brandir of the Haladin, a Lord of Brethil during the First Age, whose name means something like 'lordly man'.