Brian Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Brian Name Meaning

Fact: Brian reached the top 10 baby names in the U.S. eight times​

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A Deep Dive

Brian Overview

Meaning

High, noble

Gender

Boy

Origin

Irish, Breton

Etymology

Originated from the Old Celtic word “brígh,” meaning “noble” or “high.”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈbraɪən/

Popularity

Brian has been a classic choice in Ireland and the USA, maintaining its appeal across generations. In 2023, Brian ranked #281 for boys in the USA.

Syllable

1 syllable

Length

5 letters

Numerology

8 (Practical, Ambitious, Materialistic)

Name Styles

Traditional, Classic, Cool

Associated Traits

Dependable, kind, resilient

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Often associated with Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland, symbolizing leadership and strength.

Name Day

July 18 (France)
A Deep Dive

Brian Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Bryan, Bryon, Brayan, Brain, Brien, Bryen

Common Nicknames

Bri-Bri, BriGuy, Bri-Man, Breezy, Briano, Brye

Diminutives

Bri, Rian, Bry, B

Famous People

  • Brian May
    (English Musician)
  • Brian Cox
    (Scottish Actor)
  • Brian Wilson
    (American Musician)
  • Brian Dennehy
    (American Actor)
  • Brian Eno
    (English Musician)
  • Brian McKnight
    (American Singer)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Brian Griffin
    ("Family Guy," TV Series)
  • "Brian's Song"
    (Film)
  • Brian O'Conner
    ("The Fast and the Furious," Film Series)
  • Brian Johnson
    ("The Breakfast Club," Film)
  • Brian Krakow
    ("My So-Called Life," TV Series)

Places

  • Brian Head Town
    (Utah, USA)
  • Brian Boru's Fort
    (County Clare, Ireland)
  • Brian Head Peak
    (Utah, USA)
  • Brian Piccolo Park
    (Florida, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Brian?

Brian means “high” or “noble.” People named Brian are often perceived as leaders with a strong sense of purpose and integrity.

What Is the Origin of The Name Brian?

The name Brian has its roots in the Celtic language, specifically derived from the Old Irish word “brígh,” meaning “noble” or “strong.” It became widely popular in Ireland, particularly due to the influence of the High King Brian Boru, who is celebrated for uniting Ireland against Viking invaders.

Brian Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Brian in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#2882021#2892022#3172023
Top 3 Rankings#81970#81972#81973

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Brian

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023317
(-28 from 2022)
1044
(-133 from 2022)
0.05701
2022289
(-1 from 2021)
1177
(-11 from 2021)
0.06284
2021288
(-17 from 2020)
1188
(-72 from 2020)
0.06341
2020271
(-24 from 2019)
1260
(-215 from 2019)
0.06812
2019247
(-12 from 2018)
1475
(-155 from 2018)
0.07675
2018235
(-19 from 2017)
1630
(-147 from 2017)
0.08386
2017216
(-12 from 2016)
1777
(-206 from 2016)
0.08979
2016204
(-15 from 2015)
1983
(-232 from 2015)
0.09790
2015189
(-21 from 2014)
2215
(-320 from 2014)
0.10834
2014168
(-18 from 2013)
2535
(-109 from 2013)
0.12371
2013150
(-9 from 2012)
2644
(-175 from 2012)
0.13085
2012141
(-19 from 2011)
2819
(-428 from 2011)
0.13892
2011122
(-21 from 2010)
3247
(-519 from 2010)
0.15984
2010101
(-7 from 2009)
3766
(-890 from 2009)
0.18331
200994
(-7 from 2008)
4656
(-607 from 2008)
0.21953
200887
(-6 from 2007)
5263
(-811 from 2007)
0.24138
200781
(-9 from 2006)
6074
(-437 from 2006)
0.27421
200672
(-9 from 2005)
6511
(-408 from 2005)
0.29699
200563
(-4 from 2004)
6919
(-413 from 2004)
0.32524
200459
No change from 2003
7332
(-340 from 2003)
0.34694
200359
(-8 from 2002)
7672
(-410 from 2002)
0.36513
200251
(-5 from 2001)
8082
(-221 from 2001)
0.39107
200146
(-3 from 2000)
8303
(-654 from 2000)
0.40142
200043
No change from 1999
8957
(+149 from 1999)
0.42891
199943
(-2 from 1998)
8808
(-337 from 1998)
0.43198
199841
(-4 from 1997)
9145
(-589 from 1997)
0.45102
199737
(-1 from 1996)
9734
(-741 from 1996)
0.48724
199636
No change from 1995
10475
(-513 from 1995)
0.52278
199536
(+1 from 1994)
10988
(-658 from 1994)
0.54630
199437
(-3 from 1993)
11646
(-897 from 1993)
0.57134
199334
(-3 from 1992)
12543
(-1563 from 1992)
0.60726
199231
(-1 from 1991)
14106
(-808 from 1991)
0.67198
199130
(-3 from 1990)
14914
(-2017 from 1990)
0.70359
199027
(-3 from 1989)
16931
(-1177 from 1989)
0.78675
198924
(-2 from 1988)
18108
(-1420 from 1988)
0.86394
198822
(-2 from 1987)
19528
(-836 from 1987)
0.97529
198720
No change from 1986
20364
(-665 from 1986)
1.04420
198620
(-2 from 1985)
21029
(-2039 from 1985)
1.09430
198518
(-1 from 1984)
23068
(-1656 from 1984)
1.19871
198417
(-3 from 1983)
24724
(-1323 from 1983)
1.31742
198314
No change from 1982
26047
(+215 from 1982)
1.39768
198214
No change from 1981
25832
(-756 from 1981)
1.36881
198114
(-2 from 1980)
26588
(-2131 from 1980)
1.42763
198012
(-2 from 1979)
28719
(+57 from 1979)
1.54839
197910
(-1 from 1978)
28662
(-778 from 1978)
1.60005
19789
(-1 from 1977)
29440
(-3051 from 1977)
1.72304
19778
No change from 1976
32491
(+1964 from 1976)
1.90077
19768
No change from 1975
30527
(-62 from 1975)
1.86985
19758
No change from 1974
30589
(-3864 from 1974)
1.88542
19748
No change from 1973
34453
(-1235 from 1973)
2.11336
19738
No change from 1972
35688
(-624 from 1972)
2.21165
19728
(+1 from 1971)
36312
(+3688 from 1971)
2.16911
19719
(-1 from 1970)
32624
(+705 from 1970)
1.79463
19708
(+1 from 1969)
31919
(+250 from 1969)
1.67573
19699
(+1 from 1968)
31669
(+1748 from 1968)
1.73134
196810
No change from 1967
29921
(+1272 from 1967)
1.68527
196710
(+4 from 1966)
28649
(+1392 from 1966)
1.61001
196614
(+5 from 1965)
27257
(+2711 from 1965)
1.49959
196519
(+1 from 1964)
24546
(+369 from 1964)
1.29558
196420
No change from 1963
24177
(+57 from 1963)
1.19273
196320
No change from 1962
24120
(+897 from 1962)
1.16825
196220
No change from 1961
23223
(+660 from 1961)
1.10497
196120
No change from 1960
22563
(+572 from 1960)
1.04604
196020
(+2 from 1959)
21991
(+1261 from 1959)
1.01558
195922
(+2 from 1958)
20730
(+1454 from 1958)
0.95685
195824
(+2 from 1957)
19276
(+1754 from 1957)
0.89453
195726
(+6 from 1956)
17522
(+2855 from 1956)
0.80049
195632
(+8 from 1955)
14667
(+4560 from 1955)
0.68338
195540
(+8 from 1954)
10107
(+2029 from 1954)
0.48353
195448
(+5 from 1953)
8078
(+1412 from 1953)
0.39040
195353
(+11 from 1952)
6666
(+925 from 1952)
0.33293
195264
(+11 from 1951)
5741
(+640 from 1951)
0.29094
195175
(+4 from 1950)
5101
(+659 from 1950)
0.26683
195079
(+7 from 1949)
4442
(+589 from 1949)
0.24423
194986
(+9 from 1948)
3853
(+495 from 1948)
0.21382
194895
No change from 1947
3358
(-93 from 1947)
0.18836
194795
(+8 from 1946)
3451
(+866 from 1946)
0.18578
1946103
(+10 from 1945)
2585
(+596 from 1945)
0.15663
1945113
(+3 from 1944)
1989
(+35 from 1944)
0.14503
1944116
(+4 from 1943)
1954
(+4 from 1943)
0.14066
1943120
(+19 from 1942)
1950
(+427 from 1942)
0.13406
1942139
(+14 from 1941)
1523
(+400 from 1941)
0.10814
1941153
(+10 from 1940)
1123
(+115 from 1940)
0.08949
1940163
(+13 from 1939)
1008
(+200 from 1939)
0.08498
1939176
(+28 from 1938)
808
(+199 from 1938)
0.07130
1938204
(+24 from 1937)
609
(+90 from 1937)
0.05359
1937228
(+61 from 1936)
519
(+175 from 1936)
0.04746
1936289
(+58 from 1935)
344
(+90 from 1935)
0.03232
1935347
(+55 from 1934)
254
(+67 from 1934)
0.02375
1934402
(+48 from 1933)
187
(+37 from 1933)
0.01761
1933450
(+88 from 1932)
150
(+31 from 1932)
0.01470
1932538
(+78 from 1931)
119
(+26 from 1931)
0.01108
1931616
(+29 from 1930)
93
(+3 from 1930)
0.00869
1930645
(-88 from 1929)
90
(-22 from 1929)
0.00797
1929557
(+46 from 1928)
112
(+8 from 1928)
0.01011
1928603
(+151 from 1927)
104
(+29 from 1927)
0.00911
1927754
(+256 from 1926)
75
(+28 from 1926)
0.00645
19261010
(-139 from 1925)
47
(-12 from 1925)
0.00410
1925871
(+298 from 1924)
59
(+21 from 1924)
0.00512
19241169
(+44 from 1923)
38
(+3 from 1923)
0.00325
19231213
(+95 from 1922)
35
(+4 from 1922)
0.00309
19221308
(-56 from 1921)
31
(-3 from 1921)
0.00276
19211252
(+48 from 1920)
34
(+3 from 1920)
0.00299
19201300
(+852 from 1919)
31
(+17 from 1919)
0.00282
19192152
(+246 from 1918)
14
(+2 from 1918)
0.00138
19182398
(-307 from 1917)
12
(-2 from 1917)
0.00114
19172091
(-320 from 1916)
14
(-3 from 1916)
0.00146
19161771
(-266 from 1915)
17
(-4 from 1915)
0.00184
19151505
(+470 from 1914)
21
(+10 from 1914)
0.00238
19141975
(-534 from 1913)
11
(-3 from 1913)
0.00161
19131441
(+828 from 1912)
14
(+8 from 1912)
0.00261
19122269
(-882 from 1911)
6
(-1 from 1911)
0.00133
19111387
(+53 from 1909)
7
(+2 from 1909)
0.00290
19100
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19091440
First SSA data recorded
5
First SSA data recorded
0.00283
19080
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19070
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19060
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19050
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19040
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19030
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19020
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19010
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19000
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18990
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18980
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18970
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18960
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18950
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18940
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18930
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18920
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18910
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18900
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18890
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18880
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18870
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18860
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18850
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18840
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18830
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18800
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Brian

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#2452021#2822022#2412023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#2252021#2982022#3072023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#2592021#2242022#2972023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#2832021#3472022#3232023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#2802021#2942022#2592023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#2592021#3552022#4092023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#3422021#3342022#3602023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#2012021#2002022#2632023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#2072021#1922022#1892023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#2302021#2492022#2602023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#3642021#2972022#2862023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#4302021#3662022#4502023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#4702021#3852022#6612023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#3942021#2322022#4302023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#2382021#2662022#2492023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#2722021#1992022#3222023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#2782021#3682022#2852023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#3222021#3092022#3242023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#3692021#2822022#3282023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#2082021#2452022#2382023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#3582021#3902022#5692023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#3292021#2982022#3902023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#2862021#3512022#3992023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#5872021#3002022#4062023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#3602021#4592022#3482023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#2862021#3722022#6132023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#4012021#3342022#2872023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#4542020#3552021#3532022

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#3022021#3322022#3392023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#5112021#4062022#4332023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#2682021#2262022#3622023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2682021#2442022#3042023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#3372019#3722020#3152022

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#4672021#4022022#6762023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#2842020#4402021#3202022

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1652019#2222021#1652023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#3182021#3202022#4702023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2342011#2102014#2372016

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1612020#1702022#2082023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1222015#2342016#1662019

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#3402020#2442021#2032022

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#3542018#3442019#4132023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1782006#1832010#2532016

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2022017#2462018#1862019

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1872005#2022006#1422008

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#4072021#2072022#2512023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#2062020#2152021#1382022

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#2582016#2382018#2252020

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1202006#1102007#1252015

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1322013#2172016#1412018

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1582009#1152010#1512013

Popularity Rankings for Brian in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Denmark

Denmark flagDenmark#241985

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#582010#632011#682016

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#841982#981983#961984

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#1472018#2642020#2602023

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1531999#1722000#1902001

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#1592013#1682014#1872015

Popularity in Greenland

Greenland flagGreenland#1652019#1772020#1782021

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1662006#1852007#1822008

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#1742001#1792002#1952003

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#1782021#1922022#1932023

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#2172021#2792022#2732023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#3262021#2852022#3952023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#2932017#3022018#3122019

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#2942022

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#3752015#3762016#3032017

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#3322021#4002022#3522023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#3922018#4772021#3662023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#3772020#4672021#3932022

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#4642020#4692021#4282022

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#5192020#4482021#5022022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#5262019#5872020#5012021

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#7112022

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Brian a Name for Boys or Girls?

Brian is traditionally a male name, widely used for boys due to its strong and noble connotations.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Brian

Brian in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Brian May (Musician, born 1947): An English guitarist and astrophysicist, he is the lead guitarist of the rock band Queen.
  • Brian Cox (Actor, born 1946): A Scottish actor celebrated for his roles in both film and theater, including the HBO series "Succession."
  • Brian Wilson (Musician, born 1942): An American musician, singer, and songwriter, co-founder of The Beach Boys.
  • Brian Dennehy (Actor, 1938–2020): An American actor known for his performances in films, television, and on stage.
  • Brian Eno (Musician, born 1948): An English musician, composer, and record producer, a pioneer in ambient music.
  • Brian McKnight (Singer, born 1969): An American singer, songwriter, and record producer famous for his strong falsetto and belting range.
  • Brian Mulroney (Politician, born 1939): A Canadian politician who served as the 18th Prime Minister of Canada from 1984 to 1993.
  • Brian Lara (Cricketer, born 1969): A Trinidadian cricketer widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time.
  • Brian Griffin ("Family Guy," 1999 TV Series): An anthropomorphic dog who is part of the Griffin family, known for his dry wit and sophisticated demeanor.
  • "Brian's Song" (1971 Film): A biographical film about the friendship between Chicago Bears football players Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers.
  • Brian O'Conner ("The Fast and the Furious," 2001 Film Series): An undercover cop who becomes deeply involved in the world of street racing.
  • Brian Johnson ("The Breakfast Club," 1985 Film): A brainy high school student who spends Saturday detention with a group of misfits.
  • Brian Krakow ("My So-Called Life," 1994 TV Series): A smart but socially awkward high school student who harbors feelings for his neighbor Angela.
  • "Brian's Winter" (1996 Novel): A survival novel by Gary Paulsen, continuing the story of Brian Robeson in the wilderness.
  • Brian Moser ("Dexter," 2006 TV Series): The Ice Truck Killer and Dexter Morgan's biological brother.
  • "Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road" (2021 Documentary): Follows the life and career of Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys.
  • Brian Head Town (Utah, USA): A resort town in the mountains of southwestern Utah, popular for skiing and outdoor recreation.
  • St. Brian's River (South Australia, Australia): A small river located in the southern part of South Australia, flowing into the ocean.
  • Brian Boru's Fort (County Clare, Ireland): An ancient ringfort associated with the legendary High King of Ireland, Brian Boru.
  • Brian Head Peak (Utah, USA): The highest peak in Iron County, offering panoramic views and hiking trails.
  • Brian's Creek (Victoria, Australia): A creek in Victoria that flows through scenic bushland and agricultural areas.
  • Briançon City (Hautes-Alpes, France): A fortified town in the French Alps, notable for its well-preserved Vauban fortifications.
  • Brian D. Jellison Field (Florida, USA): A public park and sports field in Bradenton, used for various community events and sports activities.
  • Brian Piccolo Park (Florida, USA): A large park in Broward County featuring sports facilities, picnic areas, and a velodrome.

Similar Names to Brian