Brian
Gender: Boy
Meaning: High, noble, or strong
Origin: Irish/Celtic
Popularity: Ranked #339 in 2025 with 979 babies born.
History: Brian is of Irish and Celtic origin, possibly derived from the Old Celtic 'bre' meaning hill or high place, suggesting nobility or strength. It was the name of Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland who defeated the Vikings at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014 and became a national hero. The name spread through Ireland and the British Isles with the Irish diaspora and became extremely common in the United States during the mid-20th century.
Famous people named Brian: Brian May (musician), Brian Cox (actor)
Name length: 5 letters
How common is Brian? About 1 in 3,400 babies born in 2025 were named Brian, or roughly 2.7 per day in the United States.
Explore more baby names at BabyNa.me — 29,000+ names with meanings, origins, and popularity trends.
Loading name...
Frequently asked about Brian
What does the name Brian mean?
Brian means “High, noble, or strong” from Irish/Celtic roots.
What is the origin of the name Brian?
Brian has Irish/Celtic origin. The traditional meaning is “High, noble, or strong”.
How popular is Brian?
Brian ranked #339 in 2025 — given to 979 babies that year.
When was Brian most popular?
Brian peaked in 1972 with 36,309 babies registered that year.
Is Brian a boy or girl name?
Brian is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Brians in registered births are male.
Is the name Brian rising or falling in popularity?
Brian has fallen 69 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #270 in 2020 to #339 in 2025.
How long has Brian been recorded?
Brian appears in birth records across 116 years — from 1909 through 2025.