Brian
Brian is a girl's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
High, noble, or hill.
Origin and history
Brian is a traditional Irish name derived from an Old Celtic root meaning high, noble, or hill. Historically used almost exclusively for males, it gained immense popularity in the United States during the mid-to-late 20th century. A small number of females have received the name in U.S. history, though it remains rare for girls.
Popularity in the United States
4,563 babies in the United States have been named Brian since 1880. It ranks #2590 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- CA (22.1 %)
- NY (10.1 %)
- OH (9.2 %)
- PA (8.6 %)
- IL (7.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 47 |
| 1950-1960 | 193 |
| 1960-1970 | 769 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,583 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,368 |
| 1990-2000 | 372 |
| 2000-2010 | 197 |
| 2010-2019 | 34 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Nicknames
Bri, Bry
Fun facts
- The name is strongly associated with Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland who ended the Viking domination of the island in the 11th century.
- While predominantly a male given name, over 4,500 females in the United States have been officially named Brian since 1880.