How to say it
BRI · an
ˈbraɪ.ən
Masculine
Brian
High, noble
What it means
Irish, from an old Celtic root usually read as 'high,' 'noble,' or 'strong.'
Brian comes from an old Celtic root taken to mean 'high,' 'noble,' or 'strong.' Its standing rests on Brian Boru, the High King who united Ireland and broke Viking power at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. Brought to England by the Normans and later revived everywhere, it was a defining name of the mid-20th century. Brian and Bryan are the same name in two spellings.
How to spell Brian
The standard spelling is Brian. Common variants include Bryan, Brien, Briano, but Brian is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #8 in 1970, currently #339 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
Brian and Bryan are the same name; Brian is the older Irish spelling.
- Pop culture
Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, anchors the name's prestige.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Brian Boru High King of Ireland, victor at the Battle of Clontarf
- Brian May guitarist of Queen
Spelling variants
- Bryan
- Brien
- Briano
Names with the same feeling
See Brian from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Brian mean?
- Irish, from an old Celtic root usually read as 'high,' 'noble,' or 'strong.'
- What does Brian mean in Irish?
- In Irish, Brian means "High, noble." Brian comes from an old Celtic root taken to mean 'high,' 'noble,' or 'strong.' Its standing rests on Brian Boru, the High King who united Ireland and broke Viking power at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. Brought to England by the Normans and later revived everywhere, it was a defining name of the mid-20th century. Brian and Bryan are the same name in two spellings.
- How do you pronounce Brian?
- Brian is pronounced ˈbraɪ.ən. Say it as BRI-an, with the stress on the "bri" syllable.
- How do you spell Brian?
- The standard spelling is Brian. Common spelling variants include Bryan, Brien, Briano.
- Is Brian a boy or girl name?
- Brian is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Brian?
- Brian ranked #339 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.