Bryan Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

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

Fact: The name Bryan has a strong and masculine sound, contributing to its enduring popularity

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A Deep Dive

Bryan Overview

Meaning

High, noble, hill

Gender

Boy

Origin

Irish, English

Etymology

Derived from the Old Celtic name “Brian,” meaning “noble” or “high.”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈbraɪən/

Popularity

Bryan is recognized in many English-speaking countries, particularly in the USA and the UK. In 2023, Bryan ranked #266 for boys in the USA.

Syllable

1 syllable

Length

5 letters

Numerology

6 (Nurturing, Responsible, Balanced)

Name Styles

Traditional, Classic, Cool

Associated Traits

Noble, friendly, reliable

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Often linked to Irish heritage and Saint Brian Boru, an Irish king who was a national hero.

Name Day

December 18 (Ireland)
A Deep Dive

Bryan Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Bryon, Bryant, Bryen, Bryson, Brion, Brye, Bryun, Bryin

Common Nicknames

Bry-Bear, Bry-Guy, Bryny, Bee, Brye

Diminutives

B, Brin, Bryo, Bryie, Brya, Brys

Famous People

  • Bryan Cranston
    (American Actor)
  • Bryan Adams
    (Canadian Singer-Songwriter)
  • Bryan Ferry
    (English Singer)
  • Bryan Fuller
    (American Producer)
  • Bryan Stevenson
    (American Lawyer)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Bryan Mills
    ("Taken," Film Series)
  • Bryan
    ("How I Met Your Mother," TV Series)
  • "Bryan Adams: Live at the Budokan"
    (Concert Film)
  • Bryan Callen
    ("MADtv," TV Series)
  • "Bryan Loves You"
    (Film)
  • Bryan MacKenzie
    ("Father of the Bride," Film)

Places

  • Bryan City
    (Texas, USA)
  • Bryan Park
    (Richmond, Virginia, USA)
  • Bryan Beach
    (Texas, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Bryan?

Bryan means “strong” or “noble.” People named Bryan are often viewed as leaders with a sense of responsibility and integrity, embodying qualities of strength and nobility.

What Is the Origin of The Name Bryan?

The name Bryan has Irish roots, derived from the Old Celtic word “bre” which means “hill” or “high.” It was popularized by Brian Boru, a high king of Ireland who led the Irish to victory at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014.

Bryan Name Popularity

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

United States flagUnited States#2852021#2912022#3052023
Top 3 Rankings#421977#431973#431976

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Bryan

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023305
(-14 from 2022)
1079
(-93 from 2022)
0.05892
2022291
(-6 from 2021)
1172
(-38 from 2021)
0.06257
2021285
(-27 from 2020)
1210
(-148 from 2020)
0.06458
2020258
(-3 from 2019)
1358
(-66 from 2019)
0.07342
2019255
(-22 from 2018)
1424
(-215 from 2018)
0.07410
2018233
(-23 from 2017)
1639
(-199 from 2017)
0.08432
2017210
(-24 from 2016)
1838
(-291 from 2016)
0.09287
2016186
(-20 from 2015)
2129
(-363 from 2015)
0.10510
2015166
(-17 from 2014)
2492
(-237 from 2014)
0.12189
2014149
(-16 from 2013)
2729
(-164 from 2013)
0.13317
2013133
(-12 from 2012)
2893
(-190 from 2012)
0.14317
2012121
(-11 from 2011)
3083
(-436 from 2011)
0.15193
2011110
(-13 from 2010)
3519
(-417 from 2010)
0.17323
201097
(-5 from 2009)
3936
(-919 from 2009)
0.19159
200992
(-10 from 2008)
4855
(-650 from 2008)
0.22891
200882
(-4 from 2007)
5505
(-675 from 2007)
0.25247
200778
(-12 from 2006)
6180
(-518 from 2006)
0.27900
200666
(+6 from 2005)
6698
(+244 from 2005)
0.30551
200572
(-7 from 2004)
6454
(-278 from 2004)
0.30338
200465
(-1 from 2003)
6732
(+114 from 2003)
0.31855
200364
No change from 2002
6618
(+1 from 2002)
0.31497
200264
(+5 from 2001)
6617
(+492 from 2001)
0.32018
200169
(+1 from 2000)
6125
(-18 from 2000)
0.29612
200070
(+4 from 1999)
6143
(+752 from 1999)
0.29416
199974
No change from 1998
5391
(+82 from 1998)
0.26439
199874
(-5 from 1997)
5309
(+58 from 1997)
0.26183
199769
(-3 from 1996)
5251
(-309 from 1996)
0.26284
199666
(+4 from 1995)
5560
(+115 from 1995)
0.27748
199570
(-4 from 1994)
5445
(-160 from 1994)
0.27071
199466
(-5 from 1993)
5605
(-553 from 1993)
0.27498
199361
(-4 from 1992)
6158
(-677 from 1992)
0.29813
199257
(+4 from 1991)
6835
(+78 from 1991)
0.32561
199161
(-4 from 1990)
6757
(-681 from 1990)
0.31877
199057
(-1 from 1989)
7438
(-415 from 1989)
0.34563
198956
(-2 from 1988)
7853
(-184 from 1988)
0.37467
198854
(-3 from 1987)
8037
(-524 from 1987)
0.40139
198751
(-4 from 1986)
8561
(-90 from 1986)
0.43898
198647
(+1 from 1985)
8651
(-67 from 1985)
0.45018
198548
No change from 1984
8718
(+448 from 1984)
0.45302
198448
(-1 from 1983)
8270
(+79 from 1983)
0.44067
198347
(+2 from 1982)
8191
(+693 from 1982)
0.43953
198249
(-1 from 1981)
7498
(+284 from 1981)
0.39731
198148
(+1 from 1980)
7214
(-299 from 1980)
0.38735
198049
(-3 from 1979)
7513
(+71 from 1979)
0.40507
197946
(-3 from 1978)
7442
(+151 from 1978)
0.41545
197843
(-1 from 1977)
7291
(-595 from 1977)
0.42672
197742
(+1 from 1976)
7886
(+595 from 1976)
0.46134
197643
(+4 from 1975)
7291
(+293 from 1975)
0.44659
197547
(-2 from 1974)
6998
(-230 from 1974)
0.43134
197445
(-2 from 1973)
7228
(+116 from 1973)
0.44337
197343
(+2 from 1972)
7112
(+78 from 1972)
0.44074
197245
(+3 from 1971)
7034
(+422 from 1971)
0.42018
197148
(+5 from 1970)
6612
(+162 from 1970)
0.36372
197053
(-2 from 1969)
6450
(-20 from 1969)
0.33862
196951
No change from 1968
6470
(+215 from 1968)
0.35371
196851
(+1 from 1967)
6255
(+241 from 1967)
0.35231
196752
No change from 1966
6014
(+123 from 1966)
0.33797
196652
(+11 from 1965)
5891
(+547 from 1965)
0.32410
196563
(+7 from 1964)
5344
(+69 from 1964)
0.28206
196470
(+3 from 1963)
5275
(+20 from 1963)
0.26023
196373
(+9 from 1962)
5255
(+262 from 1962)
0.25452
196282
No change from 1961
4993
(-32 from 1961)
0.23757
196182
(+6 from 1960)
5025
(+246 from 1960)
0.23296
196088
(+6 from 1959)
4779
(+290 from 1959)
0.22070
195994
(+7 from 1958)
4489
(+400 from 1958)
0.20720
1958101
(+14 from 1957)
4089
(+714 from 1957)
0.18976
1957115
(+17 from 1956)
3375
(+937 from 1956)
0.15419
1956132
(+45 from 1955)
2438
(+870 from 1955)
0.11359
1955177
(+27 from 1954)
1568
(+343 from 1954)
0.07501
1954204
(+6 from 1953)
1225
(+176 from 1953)
0.05920
1953210
(+20 from 1952)
1049
(+200 from 1952)
0.05239
1952230
(+5 from 1951)
849
(+40 from 1951)
0.04302
1951235
(+12 from 1950)
809
(+72 from 1950)
0.04232
1950247
(+3 from 1949)
737
(+67 from 1949)
0.04052
1949250
(+34 from 1948)
670
(+109 from 1948)
0.03718
1948284
(-7 from 1947)
561
(-41 from 1947)
0.03147
1947277
(+25 from 1946)
602
(+142 from 1946)
0.03241
1946302
(+40 from 1945)
460
(+152 from 1945)
0.02787
1945342
(-15 from 1944)
308
(-32 from 1944)
0.02246
1944327
(+17 from 1943)
340
(+20 from 1943)
0.02448
1943344
(+7 from 1942)
320
(+22 from 1942)
0.02200
1942351
(+41 from 1941)
298
(+82 from 1941)
0.02116
1941392
(+14 from 1940)
216
(+16 from 1940)
0.01721
1940406
(+22 from 1939)
200
(+23 from 1939)
0.01686
1939428
(+29 from 1938)
177
(+16 from 1938)
0.01562
1938457
(+42 from 1937)
161
(+29 from 1937)
0.01417
1937499
(+38 from 1936)
132
(+18 from 1936)
0.01207
1936537
(+16 from 1935)
114
(+6 from 1935)
0.01071
1935553
(-23 from 1934)
108
(-14 from 1934)
0.01010
1934530
(+19 from 1933)
122
(+13 from 1933)
0.01149
1933549
(-34 from 1932)
109
(-16 from 1932)
0.01068
1932515
(+1 from 1931)
125
No change from 1931
0.01163
1931516
(+24 from 1930)
125
(+3 from 1930)
0.01168
1930540
(-18 from 1929)
122
(-2 from 1929)
0.01080
1929522
(+23 from 1928)
124
(-2 from 1928)
0.01120
1928545
(+62 from 1927)
126
(+21 from 1927)
0.01104
1927607
(-95 from 1926)
105
(-34 from 1926)
0.00904
1926512
(-15 from 1925)
139
(-10 from 1925)
0.01214
1925497
(+92 from 1924)
149
(+33 from 1924)
0.01294
1924589
(+61 from 1923)
116
(+18 from 1923)
0.00992
1923650
(-62 from 1922)
98
(-21 from 1922)
0.00866
1922588
(+37 from 1921)
119
(+16 from 1921)
0.01058
1921625
(+88 from 1920)
103
(+20 from 1920)
0.00905
1920713
(-50 from 1919)
83
(-4 from 1919)
0.00754
1919663
(+65 from 1918)
87
(+10 from 1918)
0.00857
1918728
(+156 from 1917)
77
(+25 from 1917)
0.00734
1917884
(+68 from 1916)
52
(+7 from 1916)
0.00542
1916952
(-84 from 1915)
45
(-5 from 1915)
0.00487
1915868
(-144 from 1914)
50
(-2 from 1914)
0.00568
1914724
(-57 from 1913)
52
(+7 from 1913)
0.00761
1913667
(+187 from 1912)
45
(+18 from 1912)
0.00839
1912854
(+2 from 1911)
27
(+12 from 1911)
0.00598
1911856
(+72 from 1910)
15
(+3 from 1910)
0.00621
1910928
(-338 from 1909)
12
(-8 from 1909)
0.00575
1909590
(-115 from 1908)
20
(-7 from 1908)
0.01131
1908475
(+20 from 1907)
27
(+5 from 1907)
0.01623
1907495
(+357 from 1906)
22
(+13 from 1906)
0.01387
1906852
(-66 from 1905)
9
(-1 from 1905)
0.00625
1905786
(-174 from 1904)
10
(-4 from 1904)
0.00698
1904612
(+122 from 1903)
14
(+4 from 1903)
0.01011
1903734
(-47 from 1902)
10
(-1 from 1902)
0.00773
1902687
(-254 from 1901)
11
(-8 from 1901)
0.00829
1901433
(-156 from 1900)
19
(-36 from 1900)
0.01644
1900277
(+12 from 1899)
55
(+19 from 1899)
0.03392
1899289
(-57 from 1898)
36
(-21 from 1898)
0.03125
1898232
(-73 from 1897)
57
(-40 from 1897)
0.04315
1897159
(-43 from 1896)
97
(-60 from 1896)
0.07955
1896116
(+242 from 1895)
157
(+130 from 1895)
0.12164
1895358
(+372 from 1894)
27
(+18 from 1894)
0.02132
1894730
(+305 from 1893)
9
(+4 from 1893)
0.00721
18931035
(-347 from 1892)
5
(-5 from 1892)
0.00413
1892688
(+126 from 1890)
10
(+3 from 1890)
0.00761
18910
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1890814
(+145 from 1886)
7
(+2 from 1886)
0.00585
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
1886959
(-160 from 1883)
5
(-1 from 1883)
0.00420
18850
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18840
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1883799
First SSA data recorded
6
First SSA data recorded
0.00533
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 Bryan

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

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#2602021#2802022#2622023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#2662021#2602022#2452023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#2522021#3502022#3052023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#1482021#1552022#1752023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#3922021#2872022#3382023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#3482021#3382022#3242023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#2872021#3492022#4092023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#5062021#4562022#4912023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#2152021#2182022#2202023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#3152021#3582022#3562023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#2472021#2552022#3242023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#3402021#3442022#4112023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#3812021#3592022#2662023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#3572021#3512022#5322023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#1472021#1132022#1222023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#2212021#2462022#3232023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#3012021#2802022#3082023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#4122021#3872022#3792023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#4612021#3902022#4062023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#3382021#2912022#3332023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#7122021#4302022#4812023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#4032021#5032022#5102023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#5092020#5142021#6732022

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#4182021#3392022#4342023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#5502021#5532022#5622023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#3752021#4202022#3462023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#4172021#3532022#5712023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#3752020#3182021#4762022

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#3072021#3132022#4572023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#5182020#4232021#3212022

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#2652021#2672022#1962023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#3322021#4022022#5492023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#3382021#3612022#3982023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#2572021#2542022#4462023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#2712019#4252021#5422023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2982015#2772018#3122019

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#4082021#4012022#4472023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#2752019#2462021#2552022

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1902017#1952018#1892021

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#3452020#3612021#4142023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2722010#1982012#2822015

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1442017#2032018#1622020

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1262002#1572003#2022006

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1421995#1481997#1652000

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1772015#1312017#2062019

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1792012#1622013#2272020

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1682006#2272008#2532015

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2332009#2382016#2062021

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1892005#2102008#2062011

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1091997#731999#1072002

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1091997#1281999#1252000

Popularity Rankings for Bryan in other Countries and American Territories

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

Popularity in Portugal

Portugal flagPortugal#542020

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#542003#622004#622005

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#921962#941963

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1612012#1412013#1862014

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#1432008#1862010#1892011

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#1502020#1612021#1762022

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#1542020#1782021#1842022

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#1662021#1912022#1792023

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1682009#1782010#1962011

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#3982014#2882015#4142022

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#3352019#3242020#4592022

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#3292021

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#3892006#4022008#3452010

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#3622020#4192021#4372022

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#3642021#3802022#5162023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#4342013#4262015#4862016

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#4682020

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#5122019#5242020#6592021

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

Is Bryan a Name for Boys or Girls?

Bryan is primarily a boy’s name, widely recognized as such due to its historical and cultural associations.

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

Bryan in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Bryan Cranston (Actor, born 1956): An American actor best recognized for his role in the TV series "Breaking Bad."
  • Bryan Adams (Musician, born 1959): A Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist with numerous hit songs and albums.
  • Bryan Ferry (Musician, born 1945): An English singer and songwriter, the lead vocalist of the band Roxy Music.
  • Bryan Fuller (Producer, born 1969): An American television producer and writer known for creating several popular TV series.
  • Bryan Stevenson (Lawyer, born 1959): An American lawyer and social justice activist, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative.
  • Bryan Singer (Director, born 1965): An American film director and producer known for directing several successful movies.
  • Bryan Robson (Soccer Player, born 1957): An English former professional soccer player and manager, notably associated with Manchester United.
  • Bryan Batt (Actor, born 1963): An American actor and author, best known for his role in the TV series "Mad Men."
  • Bryan Mills ("Taken," 2008 Film Series): A retired CIA operative with a particular set of skills who relentlessly pursues his daughter's kidnappers.
  • Bryan ("How I Met Your Mother," 2005 TV Series): A minor character in the show that appears in a few episodes.
  • "Bryan Adams: Live at the Budokan" (2003 Concert Film): Captures a live performance by the renowned rock singer Bryan Adams in Tokyo.
  • Bryan Callen ("MADtv," 1995 TV Series): A cast member known for his comedic sketches and characters.
  • "Bryan Loves You" (2008 Film): A psychological horror film about a cult that takes over a small town.
  • Bryan MacKenzie ("Father of the Bride," 1991 Film): The charming and affable fiancé of the protagonist's daughter.
  • Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad," 2008 TV Series): Plays Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher turned methamphetamine manufacturer.
  • Bryan Ferry ("Greatest Hits," 2009 Album): A compilation album featuring the greatest hits of the English singer and songwriter.
  • Bryan City (Texas, USA): A city in the Brazos Valley region, adjacent to College Station and home to Texas A&M University.
  • Bryan Park (Richmond, Virginia, USA): A historic park with gardens, walking trails, and a golf course.
  • Bryan Mountain (Washington, USA): A peak in the North Cascades, popular with hikers and climbers.
  • Bryan Pond (New Hampshire, USA): A small, picturesque pond located in Coos County.
  • Bryan Road Elementary School (North Carolina, USA): An educational institution in Garner, offering K-5 education.
  • Bryan Beach (Texas, USA): A coastal area along the Gulf of Mexico, offering sandy shores and recreational opportunities.
  • Bryan Hall (University of Florida, USA): An academic building on the campus of the University of Florida.
  • Bryan Island (Ontario, Canada): A small island in Lake Ontario, part of the Thousand Islands region.

Similar Names to Bryan

  • Brylan
  • Bryton
  • Bryland

Sibling Names for Bryan