Brian

Brian: name meaning, origin & popularity

Meaning: “high, noble”
Origin: Irish
Say it: BRY-an · 2 syllables
Used for: Boys

From Old Irish Brían, probably from an element meaning 'high' or 'noble'; exact derivation is somewhat uncertain. Famously borne by Brian Boru, high king of Ireland.

Irish names English names American names Names meaning noble Classic names International names

How popular is Brian?

2024334 per million US babies

Drag the line or the slider to read any year. Values are per million US births recorded by Social Security. Records before about 1937 undercount births, so early peaks can look taller than they were.

Compare with another name

Babies named Brian in 20241,111

2024 rank#301 boys

Peak year1973

Total US babies since 18801,177,325

Brian is fading: recent use is about 42% of its level ten years before.

Names like Brian

Variants, related forms and names with the same roots.

Briannahigh; noble; exalted · Celtic
Bryanhigh, noble · Celtic
Brianahigh, noble · Celtic
Breannamodern form of Briana · American (modern coinage)
Bryanahigh, noble · Celtic
Briannehigh, noble · Celtic
Breannhigh, noble, exalted · Celtic
Liamresolute protector · Irish

Brian questions

What does the name Brian mean?

Brian means "high, noble". It comes from Irish. From Old Irish Brían, probably from an element meaning 'high' or 'noble'; exact derivation is somewhat uncertain. Famously borne by Brian Boru, high king of Ireland.

Is Brian a boy or girl name?

Brian is mainly a boy's name in US records (100% of uses since 1880).

How popular is Brian?

1,111 US babies were named Brian in 2024. Its peak year was 1973.

How do you pronounce Brian?

Brian is usually pronounced BRY-an.

Birth counts: US Social Security Administration national data, 1880–2024 (names given to 5+ babies of a sex in a year). How we write meanings.