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© 2026 Namesake · namesake.baby

Data: Social Security Administration, US births 1880–2024

Brian — Meaning, Origin & Popularity | Namesake
All names
Briam|Briana
CelticBoy→ Stable

Brian

BRY-un · 2 syllables

Share Brian:
Compare with another name
Boy
#301
→ Stable
#301
in the US · 2024
Popularity score: 42
Peak rank
#270 in 2020
5yr change
+16 ranks
Birth frequency
3.1 per 10,000 births
Sex split
92% boy · 8% girl

Popularity Over Time

↑ Higher on this chart = more popular · ↓ Lower = less popular

Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #301 · Falling since 2020

How Popular Is This Name?

Bars show the range of popularity for each group. The dot shows where this name sits. Further right = more popular.

All US boy names
Top 200 boy names
Celtic boy names
Brian

Popularity score: 42  ·  SSA Rank: #301

Rare  ·  Distinctive  ·  Familiar  ·  Common  ·  Very Common

Popularity score: 0 = least popular, 100 = most popular. Based on SSA rank.

Namesake Score
69
Higher than 69% of names
Combines uniqueness, trend, meaning, feasibility, and search interest.
Trend
→ Stable
+16 ranks
Based on SSA rank velocity
Feasibility
Unknown
— · — · —
Low friction, available
Uniqueness
85
1 per 10,000 births
Won't be common in class

Brian scores well on meaning depth but there are tradeoffs — the popularity trend is fading.

Meaning Depth37% of score
87
Name Trend28% of score
44
Uniqueness20% of score
85
Feasibility15% of score
50

Scores are percentile-ranked across 43,000+ names.

Name DNA
CelticOld IrishStrongClassicBoy2-syllableNoble lineageTraditionalHigh rankEstablished
Character
noble strengthsteadfast leadership
People with this name

Qualities shared by notable Brians

innovativedisciplinedvisionaryathleticartistic
STRONG
High confidence

Brian is a Celtic boy name with steady SSA rankings. It ranked #301 in the US in 2024.

Trend:→ Stable · +16 ranks
Feasibility:— · — · —
Popularity:#301 · niche
Brian at a Glance
Meaning:High, noble, or exalted. Derived from the Gaelic element 'brígh' meaning strength or vigor, historically associated with Celtic warriors and kings.
Language root:Old Irish · Gaelic
Peak rank:#270 in 2020
5yr change:+16 ranks
Sex usage:92% boy · 8% girl
Notable bearers
Brian Boru
High King of Ireland (941-1014)
Brian Wilson
Musician, The Beach Boys founder
Brian May
Musician, Queen guitarist
Similar Sound
BrionByronBrennan◈Kian◈Ryan◈
Similar Style
CormacDeclan◈LiamRonan◈Finnegan◈
Works well with
SiobhanAislingCaitlinDeclan◈FionnMaeve
You Might Also Like
Cormac
Irish · #1254
→ Stable
Declan◈
Irish · #131
→ Stable
Liam
Irish · #1
→ Stable
Ronan◈
Irish · #257
↑ Rising
Finnegan◈
Irish · #492
→ Stable
Ethan
Celtic · #19
→ Stable
Source: Social Security Administration baby names data. Popularity data reflects US births. Feasibility data updated monthly.
Brian illustration
Name Intelligence
Brian · Overview
Summary

Brian is a Celtic boy name with steady SSA rankings. It ranked #301 in the US in 2024.

Search interest: 26/100 → Stable

Strengths
Strong fundamentals
Brian scores 69/100 on the Namesake scale — meaning, origin, and trend all contribute positively.
Classic · Strong character
Brian carries a bold, warm, grounded quality that makes it distinctive without being invented.
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Data source:Social Security Administration
Coverage:US births 1879–2024
Updated:January 2025
ISR:Refreshes monthly
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