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{{Infobox given name {{Infobox given name
| name = Brian McCarthy | name = Brian
| image= YA DA! | image= Brian Boru Front Piece 1723.jpg
| imagesize= | imagesize=
| caption=18th-century depiction of ]
| caption=
| pronunciation= | pronunciation= {{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|r|aɪ|.|ən}}
| gender = Male | gender = ]
| meaning = Hill, strong, noble, and high | meaning = possibly "high" or "noble"
| region = | region = Ireland; ]
| origin = | origin = Irish; ]
| related names = ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]
| related names =
| footnotes = | footnotes =
}} }}
'''Brian''' (sometimes spelled ] in English) is a male ] of ] and ] origin,<ref name="firstn" /> as well as a ] of ] origin.<ref name="lastn"/> It is common in the ].


It is possible that the name is derived from an ] word meaning "high" or "noble".<ref name="firstn" /> For example, the element ''bre'' means "hill"; which could be transferred to mean "eminence" or "exalted one".<ref name="lastn">{{cite book|title=Dictionary of American Family Names|publisher=]|isbn=0-19-508137-4}}</ref> The name is quite popular in Ireland, on account of ], a 10th-century ]. The name was also quite popular in ] during the ]. This is because the name was introduced to England by ] following the ].<ref name="firstn" /> Bretons also settled in Ireland along with the ] in the 12th century, and 'their' name was mingled with the 'Irish' version.<ref name="lastn" /> Also, in the north-west of England, the 'Irish' name was introduced by Scandinavian settlers from Ireland. Within the Gaelic speaking areas of Scotland, the name was at first only used by professional families of Irish origin.<ref name="firstn">{{cite book|title=A Dictionary of First Names|year=1996|publisher=]|isbn=0-19-280050-7}}</ref>
'''Brian''' is a male forename of ] ] origin. Its original meaning is not known for certain but it is possibly related to the Old Celtic element ''bre'', meaning hill, or by extension high and/or noble.<ref>{{cite web |title= Behind the Name |url= http://www.behindthename.com/php/search.php?terms=Brian/ |accessdate=2005-06-05 }}</ref>


It was the fourth most popular male name in England and Wales in 1934, but a sharp decline followed over the remainder of the 20th century and by 1994 it had fallen out of the top 100.<ref></ref> It retained its popularity in the United States for longer; its most popular period there was from 1968 to 1979 when it consistently ranked between eighth and tenth. The name has become increasingly popular in South America, particularly Argentina and Uruguay, since the early 1990s.
One of the earliest persons to bring fame to this name was ], an ancient Irish high king who thwarted ] attempts to conquer ] in the 11th century. His army was victorious in the ], but he was slain. The Irish ] clan, one of the most common surnames in Ireland, takes their name from him.


The surname ''Brian'' is sometimes an English and Irish variant spelling of the surname '']''. The English and French surname ''Brian'' is sometimes derived from the Celtic personal name shown above. The surname ''Brian'' can also sometimes be a French surname; derived from the ] word ''brian'', meaning "]" and used as a ].<ref name="lastn"/>
Variants of the name include Briant, Brien, Bran, ], ], ], Brjánn (in Icelandic) and Bryon.<ref>Noel Higgins & Jeanne Goldner, ''Names, Names, Names, A Book for You'' (Middletown, Connecticut: Weekly Reader Books, 1986), page 8-b.</ref>


Variants of the name include ], ], ], ], ], ], Brjánn (in Icelandic) and ].<ref>Noel Higgins & Jeanne Goldner, ''Names, Names, Names, A Book for You'' (Middletown, Connecticut: Weekly Reader Books, 1986), page 8-b.</ref> Variant spellings such as "Brien" are sometimes used as female given names, especially among members of the ].<ref>Gray, Breda. "Women and the Irish Diaspora". London : Routledge, 2004. p.87</ref>
==People==
Some famous people and characters known as Brian include:


In Latin America, the phonetic spelling “Brayan” is often used, associated with working-class parents aspiring to a higher socioeconomic status associated with Anglo-American culture, and mocked for that reason on social media.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://verne.elpais.com/verne/2016/09/02/mexico/1472775480_223024.amp.html | title="No le pongan Brayan a su hijo": La recomendación de un registro civil en México para evitar el bullying | date=2 September 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.laprensa.hn/mundo/el-origen-de-los-memes-de-el-brayan-y-la-britany-en-DELP981938#image-1 | title=El origen de los memes de &#039;El Brayan&#039; y &#039;La Britany&#039; en las redes sociales }}</ref>
* ] (1950-1997), Scottish footballer
* ] (b. 1968), member of American rock group Weezer
* ] (b. 1937), English actor
* ] (c. 941; 23 April 1014), Irish king who overthrew the centuries-long domination of the Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill
* ] (b. 1960), current ] (Prime Minister) of the Republic of Ireland.
* ] (b. 1948), English electronic musician, music theorist and record producer
* ] (1934–1967), English businessperson, manager of The Beatles.
* ], member and lead vocalist of the hard rock band AC/DC
* ] (1912-1994), British cricket commentator
* ] (1942-1969), founding member, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist in the English rock group ]
* ] (b. 1981), American-born Korean singer, former member of the R&B duo Fly to the Sky
* ] (b. 1995), professional freestyle skier
* ] (b. 1969), former West Indian cricketer
* ] (b. 1969), former Danish international soccer player
* ] (b. 1975), member of the boy band, The Backstreet Boys
* ] (b. 1947), famous guitarist from the band, Queen
* ] (b. 1969), R&B singer
* ] (b. 1958), British politician
* ] (born 1959), Canadian rower
* ] (born 1942), American ] player for the ]
* ] (born 1972), American swimmer
* ], (born 1979), American ] player for the ]
* ] (b.1942), member of American music group, The Beach Boys


==Notable people with the name==
==Other uses==
===Mononyms===
Some films and television shows which contain the name Brian include:
*], original name of Bing, a dog who served in the British Army in World War II
*], Celtic mythological figure
*Brian, a snail character in the children's television programme '']''

===Surname===
*] (1923–2017), British journalist and writer
*] (1877–1948), Canadian-American actor, dancer, and singer
*] (1876–1972), British classical composer
*] (1906–2002), American actress and movie star
*] (born 1993), American women's soccer player

===Given name: common combinations===
{{Self reference|These links lead to ] pages.}}{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
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*{{div col end}}

=== Given name: individuals ===
*] (born 1975), American football player
*] (1950–1997), Scottish footballer
*] (1925–2017), British author
*] (born 2000), American football player
*] (1966–2016), Japanese American opera singer
*] (born 1962), American comic book writer and screenwriter
*] (born 1981), American baseball player and coach
*] (born 1966), New Zealand former first-class cricketer
*] (born 19??), Canadian fashion designer
*] (born 1982), American former professional baseball player
*] (1947–1991), Canadian gangster, outlaw biker and criminal
*] (born 1957), American retired professional wrestler and politician
*] (born 1937), English actor
*] (born 1970), American actor and screenwriter
*] (born 1963), American figure skater
*] (born 1968), American football player
*] (born 1981), American rock musician, singer, guitarist and former child actor
*] (1928–2011), English rugby union player
*], American football coach
*] (941–1014), Irish king who overthrew the centuries-long domination of the Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill
*] (born 1965), American former football linebacker and actor
*], former professional footballer
*] (born 1946), American musician
*] (born 1971), Canadian politician, lawyer, and judge
*] (1940–2023), English cricketer
*] (born 2001), American football player
*], American electrical engineer
*] (born 1989), American football defensive end and linebacker
*] (born 1958), American football player
*] (born 1988), American sport shooter
*], American actor and filmmaker
*] (1972–2018), American professional wrestler
*] (born 1987), All American lacrosse player
*] (1935–2004), British football manager
*] (born 1956), American video-game designer, artist and animator
*], American businessman
*] (born 1934), English animator, designer, director, producer and sculptor
*] (born 1963), American professional wrestler
*] (born 1960), former ] (Prime Minister) of the Republic of Ireland
*] (born 1973), American musician and producer
*] (born 1985), NFL football player
*] (born 1984), Argentine tennis player
*] (born 1940), American film director
*] (1978–1997), American teenage punk musician
*] (1938–2020), American actor
*] (born 1977), American actor
*] (born 1978), Irish television presenter
*] (born 1956), American convicted rapist and serial killer
*] (born 1990), one of two perpetrators of the ]
*] (1946–2022), British former Chess Champion and fugitive
*] (born 1948), English electronic musician, music theorist and record producer
*], American sport shooter
*] (1934–1967), English businessperson, manager of The Beatles
*], American football coach and former player
*] (born 1990), American football player
*] (born 1977), American dancer and choreographer
*], American football executive
*] (born 1952), British actor
*], Lord Justice Clerk of Scotland
*] (born 1966), American gymnast
*] (born 1952), American tennis player
*] (born 1976), American football player
*] (born 1963), American television executive
*] (born 1951), American Oscar-winning film and television producer
*] (born 1973), American football executive
*] (born 1961), American actor and comedian
*] (born 1958), American musician
*] (born 1981), American guitarist, son of Haner Sr.
*] (born 1968), American actor, used car salesman, and television personality
*] (born 1947), American author
*] (born 1941), American songwriter and record producer
*] (nicknamed "The Rabbi"; born 1982), American major league baseball outfielder
*] (1932–2020), British law lord and barrister
*] (1916–1993), Irish journalist, historian, and television presenter, known for ''All Our Yesterdays''
*], primary spokesperson for Australia's Southern bluefin tuna fishing and aquaculture industry
*] (born 1942), U.S. terrorism expert
*] (born 1981), American-born Korean singer, former member of the R&B duo Fly to the Sky
*] (born 1977), American professional wrestler performing under the ring name of ''Abraham Washington''
*] (born 1984), French figure skater and 2007 World Champion
*] (born 1963), American politician
*] (born 1979), American professional wrestler
*] (born 1949), American actor
*] (born 1964), American professional wrestler
*] (1917–1942), English fighter pilot and flying ace of the Royal Air Force
*] (born 1969), former West Indian cricketer
*] (born 1969), Danish footballer
*] ({{circa|1997–2021}}), American fugitive
*], Scottish politician
*] (born 1952), American filmmaker
*] (born 1996), American football player
*] (born 1974), Scottish comedian
*] (born 1975), member of the boy band, The Backstreet Boys
*], American politician
*] (born 1968), Canadian politician
*] (1987–2025), American professional baseball pitcher
*] (born 1947), guitarist, songwriter, founding member of the band Queen
*] (born 1950), Canadian forensic scientist
*] (born 1970), Irish murder victim
*] (born 1979), Canadian cross-country skier and biathlete
*] (born 1969) American singer-songwriter, arranger, producer, and R&B musician
*], American actor
*] (born 1982/1983), Northern Irish actor
*Brian David Mitchell (born 1953), American criminal convicted of the ]
*] (died 1992), American gay man and murder victim
*] (born 1972), lead vocalist of the band Placebo
*] (born 1976), American football player for the Buffalo Bills
*] (1954–2022), Irish Gaelic football player and manager
*] (born 1978), Irish hurler
*] (1939–2024), Prime Minister of Canada from 1984 to 1993
*] (born 1945), American actor
*] (1937–2018), South African actor
*], American psychologist
*] (born 1981), American football coach
*] (born 1979), Irish rugby player
*], Australian politician
*] (born 1956), Australian rules footballer
*] (born 1993), American baseball player
*], Irish hurler
*] (born 1983), American runner
*] (born 1961), Canadian figure skater
*] (born 1958), British politician
*] (born 1959), Canadian rower
*] (born 1956), American football player
*], British film director
*] (1943–1970), American football player for the Chicago Bears and subject of TV movie '']''
*] (1962–1997), American professional wrestler and professional football player
*] (born 1993), American professional wrestler
*] (born 1936), Scottish economist and former football club chairman
*] (born 1960), Northern Irish-American soccer coach and former player
*] (born 1985), American basketball player
*] (born 1960), American player of gridiron football
*] (born 1972), American swimmer
*] (born 1963), American media proprietor and film producer
*] (born 1948), American investigative correspondent for ABC News
*] (born 1992), Swiss basketball player
*] (born 1976), American baseball player
*] (born 1995), American baseball player
*] (born 1989), American wheelchair racer
*] (born 1978), American politician, member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
*] (born 1981), American actor
*] (born 1955), American baseball coach
*] (born 1966), American politician
*] (1935/1936–1984), Irish murder victim
*] (born 1964), American actor, comedian and writer
*] (born 1985), American journalist and television news correspondent
*] (born 1983), Montserratian cricketer
*] (born 1974), American baseball player and coach
*], Canadian sailor
*] (born 1952), American tennis player
*] (born 1968), American musician
*] (1940–2012), Wales rugby union footballer
*], British artist
*] (born 2002), American football player
*], American actor
*], American film screenwriter
*] (born 1972), American composer and musician
*] (born 1978), American football player for the Chicago Bears
*] (born 1976), American comic book and television writer
*] (born 1980), American boxer
*] (born 1980), American businessman and lawyer
*Brian Warner (born 1969), American singer, better known by his stage name ]
*] (born 1975), composer/producer of musical comedy duo, ]
*] (born 1979), American football player for the Philadelphia Eagles
*] (1945–2004), Jamaican gay rights activist
*] (born 1942), American singer-songwriter and co-founder of American rock band ]
*], American producer, director, and writer

===Fictional characters===
* Brian, a character in the American 1983 TV miniseries ] and '']''
* Brian, a character in the American 2001 thriller movie '']''
* ], a police officer on the HBO drama ''The Wire''
* ], main protagonist of ''Monty Python's Life of Brian'', played by ]
* Brian Connelly, a character played by ] in the 1988 ''Superman 50th Anniversary'' movie
* Brian Doheny (commonly referred to as BrianD), main protagonist of '']''
* Brian Fellow, animal enthusiast and main character of Saturday Night Live sketch, ]
* ], from the British TV show ''Torchwood''
* ] on '']'', voiced by ]
* ] on ], played by ]
* Brian Latham, a character in the 2006 superhero movie '']''
* Brian Johnson, main character in the 1985 film '']''
* ] in ], played by ]
* Brian Robles, a character in the 2022 Filipino TV series of '']''
* Brian Stills, a character in the 1981 American science fiction black comedy movie '']''

==Media titles==
Films and television shows which contain the name Brian include:
* '']'' (1971, 2001) * '']'' (1971, 2001)
* '']'' (1979) * '']'' (1979)
* '']'', television series that began in 2006 * '']'', American TV series that began in 2006
* '']'', mini New Zealand TV series
* ], A character on ] voiced by ]

==References==
{{Reflist}}


==See also== ==See also==
{{srt}}
* ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ], a masculine given name
* ], a masculine given name
* ]
* ], surname
* ]


==References==
{{given name}}
{{Reflist}}


{{disambig}} {{Gaelic names}}
{{given name|type=both}}
]


]
]
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]

Latest revision as of 22:07, 8 January 2025

Brian
18th-century depiction of Brian Boru
Pronunciation/ˈbraɪ.ən/
GenderMale
Origin
Word/nameIrish; Breton
Meaningpossibly "high" or "noble"
Region of originIreland; Brittany
Other names
Related namesBreanna, Breanne, Brianna, Brianne, Brien, Brion, Brina, Bryan, Bryant

Brian (sometimes spelled Bryan in English) is a male given name of Irish and Breton origin, as well as a surname of Occitan origin. It is common in the English-speaking world.

It is possible that the name is derived from an Old Celtic word meaning "high" or "noble". For example, the element bre means "hill"; which could be transferred to mean "eminence" or "exalted one". The name is quite popular in Ireland, on account of Brian Boru, a 10th-century High King of Ireland. The name was also quite popular in East Anglia during the Middle Ages. This is because the name was introduced to England by Bretons following the Norman Conquest. Bretons also settled in Ireland along with the Normans in the 12th century, and 'their' name was mingled with the 'Irish' version. Also, in the north-west of England, the 'Irish' name was introduced by Scandinavian settlers from Ireland. Within the Gaelic speaking areas of Scotland, the name was at first only used by professional families of Irish origin.

It was the fourth most popular male name in England and Wales in 1934, but a sharp decline followed over the remainder of the 20th century and by 1994 it had fallen out of the top 100. It retained its popularity in the United States for longer; its most popular period there was from 1968 to 1979 when it consistently ranked between eighth and tenth. The name has become increasingly popular in South America, particularly Argentina and Uruguay, since the early 1990s.

The surname Brian is sometimes an English and Irish variant spelling of the surname Bryan. The English and French surname Brian is sometimes derived from the Celtic personal name shown above. The surname Brian can also sometimes be a French surname; derived from the Old Occitan word brian, meaning "maggot" and used as a nickname.

Variants of the name include Briant, Brien, Bran, Brion, Bryan, Bryant, Brjánn (in Icelandic) and Bryon. Variant spellings such as "Brien" are sometimes used as female given names, especially among members of the Irish diaspora.

In Latin America, the phonetic spelling “Brayan” is often used, associated with working-class parents aspiring to a higher socioeconomic status associated with Anglo-American culture, and mocked for that reason on social media.

Notable people with the name

Mononyms

Surname

  • Denis Brian (1923–2017), British journalist and writer
  • Donald Brian (1877–1948), Canadian-American actor, dancer, and singer
  • Havergal Brian (1876–1972), British classical composer
  • Mary Brian (1906–2002), American actress and movie star
  • Morgan Brian (born 1993), American women's soccer player

Given name: common combinations

These links lead to disambiguation pages.

Given name: individuals

Fictional characters

Media titles

Films and television shows which contain the name Brian include:

See also

References

  1. ^ A Dictionary of First Names. Oxford University Press. 1996. ISBN 0-19-280050-7.
  2. ^ Dictionary of American Family Names. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-508137-4.
  3. BabyNames.co.uk
  4. Noel Higgins & Jeanne Goldner, Names, Names, Names, A Book for You (Middletown, Connecticut: Weekly Reader Books, 1986), page 8-b.
  5. Gray, Breda. "Women and the Irish Diaspora". London : Routledge, 2004. p.87
  6. ""No le pongan Brayan a su hijo": La recomendación de un registro civil en México para evitar el bullying". 2 September 2016.
  7. "El origen de los memes de 'El Brayan' y 'La Britany' en las redes sociales".
Irish-language given names
Native masculine names
Native feminine names
Germanic-derived
masculine names
Bible-derived
masculine names
Bible-derived
feminine names
Latin/Greek-derived
masculine names
Latin/Greek-derived
feminine names
See also
Name listThis page or section lists people that share the same given name or the same family name.
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