The name Bryant is of Old English origin, derived from the word "brycg," which means "bridge." This name was initially used as a surname for individuals who lived near a bridge or were responsible for maintaining one. Over time, Bryant evolved into a given name, particularly in the United States.
In the United States, Bryant gained popularity during the mid-20th century and reached its peak usage in the 1980s and early 1990s. It has since maintained steady usage as a first name for boys. According to Social Security data, Bryant has consistently ranked among the top 500 most popular boy names in the United States since the 1970s.
Some notable individuals with the given name Bryant include:
* Bryant Gumbel (born 1948): An American television journalist and sportscaster who hosted the NBC Today show from 1982 to 1997.
* Kobe Bryant (1978-2020): A professional basketball player who spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was known for his exceptional skills on the court and won five NBA championships before tragically passing away in a helicopter crash at the age of 41.
* Bryant G. Kolve (born 1963): An American author, editor, and historian specializing in military history and the history of technology.
In summary, the name Bryant has Old English origins related to bridges and has been used as both a surname and given name over time. It has maintained consistent popularity in the United States since the mid-20th century and is shared by several notable individuals in various fields.
The name Bryant experienced fluctuations in popularity over the given period, peaking at 13 births in 1989 and dropping to as low as 5 births in certain years (1963, 1976, 1992, and 1993). The overall total of 198 births suggests that Bryant was not a particularly common name during this time.