Declining since 1985, #339 for boys today.
Popularity of Brian since 1909
Babies named Brian per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 116 |
| 1920s | 566 |
| 1930s | 3,173 |
| 1940s | 22,793 |
| 1950s | 112,336 |
| 1960s | 258,129 |
| 1970s | 322,660 |
| 1980s | 233,993 |
| 1990s | 119,309 |
| 2000s | 69,775 |
| 2010s | 24,107 |
| 2020s | 6,773 |
Meaning & origin
Brian has been a mainstay of American naming for decades, though its heyday is behind it. The name reached its peak of popularity in 1973, when it was a top name for boys. By 2025, it ranked 339th, meaning only about 1 in 1,745 newborn boys received the name. Its slow fall has been steady since 1985, but it remains a familiar choice. Delaware, the District of Columbia, and North Dakota are the states where Brian hangs on most strongly today. The name first appeared in the Social Security records in 1909, and its trajectory tells a story of a solid classic that has gently receded from the spotlight.
Brian is the English form of the Irish name Brian, whose exact derivation is uncertain. It is traditionally linked to the Old Celtic element *brig- meaning "high, noble," though some sources suggest a connection to "hill." The name was borne by the legendary Irish king Brian Boru, who defeated the Vikings at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014, cementing its enduring popularity in Ireland. It spread to England in the Middle Ages, particularly in areas of Norse and Irish influence, and was revived in the 19th century before becoming widely used in America in the 20th century.
Where Brian is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Brian” around the world
Where Brian lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
25
babies in 2024
Ireland
18
babies in 2025
Quebec
8
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bri, Bry
Sibling names for Brian
Names that share Brian's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Kelly, Erin, Shannon, Megan, Colleen, Amie, Amy, Angie, Brenda, Briana, Carrie, Christie, Christina, Dana, Denise, Doreen, Erika, Jennifer, Jessica, Jodi, Julie, Kari, Kathleen, Kelli, Kim, Kimberly, Kristen, Kristi, Kristin, Kristine, Kristy, Lauren, Laurie, Leann, Leanne, Lisa, Lynne, Maureen, Melanie, Melinda, Melissa, Nichole, Nikki, Pamela, Rochelle, Shauna, Sheila, Shelley, Shelly, Sherri, Stacey, Staci, Stacy, Stephanie, Tonya, Tracey, Tricia, Trisha, Wendy, Candyce, Carin, Christi, Christin, Coleen, Deana, Jacklyn, Jaclyn, Jami, Janeen, Janene, Janine, Jeana, Jennyfer, Jodie, Julieann, Karie, Karyn, Katelin, Keli, Kellee, Kelley, Kellie, Keri, Kerri, Kerrie, Kimberlee, Kirstin, Kristal, Kristan, Kristie, Kristyn, Laureen, Lauri, Lesli, Lora, Meaghan, Milissa, Nicki, Noreen, Shaina, Shanda, Shandra, Sharla, Sharyn, Shelia, Shelli, Shellie, Sheree, Stacie, Stefanie, Steffany, Stephani, Tami, Traci, Tracie, Allyn, Briann, Bryna, Carie, Colene, Crissy, Crista, Cristin, Danyell, Debera, Delisa, Dennise, Eilene, Jackelyn, Jacquelynn, Jacqulyn, Jeni, Jennefer, Jennell, Jennica, Jenniffer, Kareen, Karena, Kathaleen, Kathlene, Kathlyn, Kellyann, Korinne, Krissy, Kristeen, Kristel, Kymberly, Laurin, Leeanne, Leesa, Leighann, Leslee, Loree, Machelle, Magan, Marti, Mellisa, Melony, Melynda, Micki, Robynn, Shannen, Sharee, Sharri, Shavonne, Shawnda, Shawnna, Sheilah, Shonna, Steffanie, Stephine, Tawnya, Toniann, Tracee, Trish, Andera, Balinda, Beckey, Brandye, Brieanne, Cathlene, Chrissie, Collene, Crystalyn, Cyrstal, Danille, Danise, Dawnielle, Dawnmarie, Delynn, Denay, Denean, Doreene, Eileene, Hollyann, Ileene, Jacilyn, Jeaneen, Jenean, Jeneen, Jenel, Jenene, Jennafer, Jennifier, Kaaren, Kariann, Karianne, Karlynn, Katheleen, Kathleene, Kathyleen, Kelleen, Kellene, Kelliann, Kellianne, Kellyanne, Keriann, Kerianne, Kerrianne, Kimberle, Kimberlea, Kimberlyann, Kimbery, Kriste, Kristene, Kristle, Krystine, Lauree, Laury, Leane, Leasa, Lynnell, Machell, Maghan, Malynda, Marcee, Marilin, Maurene, Mechell, Meegan, Megann, Mitchelle, Mylinda, Mylissa, Nacole, Pamila, Rechelle, Shanley, Sharin, Sharion, Sharise, Sharona, Sharone, Shauntel, Shawnette, Shawnie, Sheilia, Sheilla, Shelisa, Shelle, Shellee, Sherine, Sherrilyn, Shery, Shiree, Shronda, Stacye, Stepahnie, Stepanie, Stephnie, Stevee, Tawnia, Terilyn, Terriann, Tondra, Tracia, Trenise, Amamda, Breanda, Caitlen, Calleen, Cariann, Carrianne, Carrieanne, Cathaleen, Cathryne, Cherilynn, Cherina, Cherron, Cheryn, Chonda, Christol, Christyne, Chrystie, Crystin, Dawnell, Dawnn, Debanhi, Deeana, Denielle, Dierdra, Dustine, Hilari, Ileane, Jacci, Janda, Jenniefer, Jennilyn, Jeny, Jeree, Jessicia, Julane, Kathelyn, Katherleen, Kathlynn, Kelie, Kellye, Kellyjo, Kerryann, Keryn, Khristy, Kimbely, Koreen, Krisann, Krisanne, Lanice, Larenda, Laurann, Lezli, Lynann, Lynanne, Lynee, Meagon, Michaeleen, Mirinda, Moreen, Robbyn, Robynne, Shannin, Sharena, Sharis, Sharlette, Sharmane, Sharonne, Shauni, Stephene, Tamma, Terrianne, Terrisa, Tracye, Valori, Bronda, Cherisa, Correen, Jeanee, Jenafer, Nocole, Shellye, Stepfanie, Tambi, Wyndi, Amandalee, Andreal, Athleen, Brandalynn, Brandii, Brandolyn, Brendia, Bridgitt, Brigetta, Brynda, Caitlinn, Caree, Carriann, Chaunda, Cheralyn, Christyl, Colinda, Colleene, Cythina, Danylle, Dawnya, Deardra, Geneen, Geriann, Jaclyne, Jamice, Jennfer, Jenyfer, Jeralynn, Jeriann, Jillane, Jillayne, Jilleen, Kathleena, Kerrilyn, Khristi, Khristie, Kimberla, Kimla, Kinberly, Krisi, Lauralynn, Loribeth, Mashelle, Meliss, Melisssa, Melizza, Mellony, Mickelle, Mischele, Nicholl, Noreene, Norinne, Rhondalyn, Shainna, Shanin, Sharalee, Sharilynn, Sharine, Sharisa, Sharmel, Sharnee, Shaunee, Shaunette, Sheriann, Sherriann, Sholanda, Stayce, Stephaie, Stepheni, Stephonie, Stpehanie, Tamberly, Tamee, Tamilyn, Tammatha, Tearsa, Terilynn, Ticia, Tracyann
Brothers: Kevin, Sean, Patrick, Ryan, Michael, Alan, Allen, Barry, Brenden, Chris, Corey, Darren, Darrin, Derek, Duane, Dwayne, Greg, Jared, Jeffery, Jeremy, Neal, Neil, Shane, Shawn, Todd, Darell, Daren, Darin, Darrick, Derik, Deron, Donell, Donnell, Dwain, Karon, Kelvin, Keven, Rod, Shon, Brain, Darick, Darryn, Derreck, Derric, Deryl, Dwane, Glennon, Jefferey, Jonmichael, Kennth, Kirt, Collen, Daran, Dennys, Deonne, Derrin, Deryk, Duaine, Jeffory, Jefrey, Keevin, Kreg, Kregg, Seanmichael, Shann, Shaune, Tharon, Dereke, Duayne, Jeffre, Jeris, Jerris, Rondey, Shonn, Terris, Dannell, Darryel, Datron, Deny, Dwon, Gregroy, Kimothy, Kiven, Steaven, Toretto
Names like Brian
Names whose popularity has moved with Brian's over the last 50 years.
