Brian
Brian is a boy's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
High, noble, or hill.
Origin and history
Brian is a classic masculine name of Gaelic origin, traditionally understood to mean noble, high, or hill. It achieved immense popularity in the United States during the mid-to-late 20th century, becoming a staple classic. While its usage has moderated in recent years, it remains a well-recognized and widely used name.
Popularity in the United States
1,173,735 babies in the United States have been named Brian since 1880. It ranks #25 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #300.
States where it is most popular
- CA (10.7 %)
- NY (8.6 %)
- PA (6.2 %)
- IL (5.9 %)
- OH (5.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 5 |
| 1910-1920 | 116 |
| 1920-1930 | 566 |
| 1930-1940 | 3,173 |
| 1940-1950 | 22,793 |
| 1950-1960 | 112,336 |
| 1960-1970 | 258,129 |
| 1970-1980 | 322,660 |
| 1980-1990 | 233,993 |
| 1990-2000 | 119,309 |
| 2000-2010 | 69,775 |
| 2010-2019 | 24,107 |
| 2020-2029 | 6,773 |
Famous people named Brian
- Brian Wilson: Musician, Songwriter
- Brian Cox: Actor
- Brian Cranston: Actor, Director
Nicknames
Bri, Bry
Fun facts
- The name was famously borne by Brian Boru, the 11th-century High King of Ireland who ended the Norse domination.
- Brian consistently ranked among the top 10 most popular names for boys in the United States during the 1970s.