Brian

Meaning of Brian

The name Brian means 'high' or 'noble'. It can also be interpreted as 'strong' or 'virtuous'.

Brian has Irish roots — browse every Irish baby name in our catalog.

Popularity of Brian

Brian has cooled off, slipping to #339 in 2025, down from a peak of #43 in 2000.

Notable people named Brian

• Brian May
  Legendary guitarist for Queen
• Bryan Cranston
  Award-winning actor, Breaking Bad star
• Brian Wilson
  Iconic musician, Beach Boys co-founder
• Brian Williams
  Longtime news anchor and journalist
• Brian Urlacher
  NFL Hall of Fame linebacker

More Irish names

Questions about the name Brian

What does the name Brian mean?

Brian means the name brian means 'high' or 'noble'. it can also be interpreted as 'strong' or 'virtuous', and it comes from Irish origins.

Is Brian a boy's or a girl's name?

Brian is most commonly used as a boy's name in the United States.

How popular is the name Brian?

In 2025, Brian ranked #339 for boys, down from #301 the year before.

When was Brian most popular?

Brian peaked at #43 in 2000.