Declining since 1988, #1,323 for boys today.
Popularity of Bryant since 1880
Babies named Bryant per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 109 |
| 1890s | 162 |
| 1900s | 142 |
| 1910s | 498 |
| 1920s | 882 |
| 1930s | 780 |
| 1940s | 1,040 |
| 1950s | 2,256 |
| 1960s | 5,341 |
| 1970s | 6,151 |
| 1980s | 9,662 |
| 1990s | 9,969 |
| 2000s | 8,500 |
| 2010s | 4,724 |
| 2020s | 1,481 |
Meaning & origin
Bryant originated as an Irish surname before being adopted as a given name. It peaked in popularity in 1988, when it ranked 1323, but has been falling in use since then. The name has a 1-in-11,699 frequency in 2025, remaining most common in states like Alabama, Florida, and Virginia. Its steady presence over more than a century reflects its appeal as a strong, straightforward name with a clear Celtic heritage.
Bryant is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó Briain, meaning 'descendant of Brian'. Brian (or Brían) is an Old Celtic name of uncertain origin, possibly meaning 'strong' or 'virtuous'. The name was brought to England by Norman settlers and later adopted as a given name in the United States, influenced by the fame of poet William Cullen Bryant and basketball legend Kobe Bryant.
Where Bryant 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.
“Bryant” around the world
Where Bryant lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bry, B
Sibling names for Bryant
Names that share Bryant's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Bryant
Names whose popularity has moved with Bryant's over the last 50 years.
