Brian Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Brian is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Brian?
Brian is spelled B-R-I-A-N. The name has 5 letters.
Brian at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Derived from an Old Celtic word that may mean “high” or “noble.”
- Origin
- The name Brian is commonly associated with Celtic origins and linked to Irish culture.
- Pronunciation
- BRY-uhn · 2 syllables
Brian Popularity in 2025
Rank#339
Recorded Births979
- Boys usage fell 37 places to #339 and recorded 137 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Brian Mean?
Derived from an Old Celtic word that may mean “high” or “noble.”
Origin: The name Brian is commonly associated with Celtic origins and linked to Irish culture.
How Do You Pronounce Brian?
PronunciationBRY-uhn
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Brian?
- History
- Brian has been used historically in Ireland and is associated with notable figures such as Brian Boru, a High King of Ireland.
Brian Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2008 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 979 | #339 |
| 2024 | Boys | 1,116 | #302 |
| 2023 | Boys | 1,049 | #317 |
| 2022 | Boys | 1,180 | #289 |
| 2021 | Boys | 1,188 | #288 |
| 2020 | Boys | 1,261 | #271 |
| 2019 | Boys | 1,479 | #247 |
| 2018 | Boys | 1,631 | #235 |
| 2017 | Boys | 1,778 | #216 |
| 2016 | Boys | 1,984 | #204 |
| 2015 | Girls | 5 | #16,419 |
| 2015 | Boys | 2,218 | #188 |
| 2014 | Boys | 2,536 | #168 |
| 2013 | Girls | 5 | #16,547 |
| 2013 | Boys | 2,645 | #150 |
| 2012 | Girls | 11 | #9,711 |
| 2012 | Boys | 2,820 | #141 |
| 2011 | Girls | 5 | #16,764 |
| 2011 | Boys | 3,250 | #122 |
| 2010 | Girls | 8 | #12,276 |
| 2010 | Boys | 3,766 | #101 |
| 2009 | Girls | 6 | #15,242 |
| 2009 | Boys | 4,658 | #94 |
| 2008 | Girls | 9 | #11,599 |
When Was Brian Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1972 · Boys
36,306 recorded births
National rank #8
1973 · Boys
35,686 recorded births
National rank #8
1974 · Boys
34,449 recorded births
National rank #8
1971 · Boys
32,624 recorded births
National rank #9
Where Brian Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| DE | #168 | 6 |
| DC | #168 | 5 |
| ND | #191 | 6 |
| FL | #231 | 91 |
| MA | #238 | 25 |
| NJ | #251 | 37 |
| KY | #253 | 21 |
| IL | #277 | 39 |