Brian is a popular male given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the old Celtic word "brigh" which means "strength" or "honor". The name Brian was borne by several important historical figures, including Brian Boru, who was the High King of Ireland in the 11th century and is considered one of the most significant figures in Irish history.
The name Brian became popular in England during the Middle Ages after the Norman conquest of Ireland in 1170. It was introduced by the Normans who had adopted it from the Irish. The name has since been used widely throughout Europe and beyond, becoming a staple in many cultures around the world.
Today, Brian is still a well-liked name, with its popularity varying across different countries. It is often associated with strength, leadership, and honor due to its meaning and historical significance. Overall, Brian is a strong and meaningful name with a rich history and international appeal.
The name Brian has seen a remarkable journey in popularity over the past century. Initially quite rare, with fewer than ten births per year between 1909 and 1920, it began to gain traction in the late 1920s, reaching triple digits by 1929. The name's peak occurred in the mid-1950s to early 1960s, with a staggering 34,876 births in 1962 alone. However, since then, Brian's popularity has steadily declined, with fewer than 2,000 births per year since 2008 and dropping below 1,000 annually from 2015 onwards. In recent years, the name has become quite uncommon, with only 1044 recorded births in 2023. Overall, Brian has been given to over 1.17 million babies since records began, but its heyday as a popular name seems to have passed.