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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 Brian (dog), original name of Bing, a dog who served in the British Army in World War II Brian (mythology), Celtic mythological figure Brian, a snail character in the children's television programme The Magic Roundabout 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 Given name: individuals Brian Ah Yat (born 1975), American football player Brian Alderson (footballer) (1950–1997), Scottish footballer Brian Aldiss (1925–2017), British author Brian Asamoah (born 2000), American football player Brian Asawa (1966–2016), Japanese American opera singer Brian Azzarello (born 1962), American comic book writer and screenwriter Brian Bannister (born 1981), American baseball player and coach Brian Barrett (born 1966), New Zealand former first-class cricketer Brian Bailey (born 19??), Canadian fashion designer Brian Bass (born 1982), American former professional baseball player Brian Beaucage (1947–1991), Canadian gangster, outlaw biker and criminal B. Brian Blair (born 1957), American retired professional wrestler and politician Brian Blessed (born 1937), English actor Brian Bloom (born 1970), American actor and screenwriter Brian Boitano (born 1963), American figure skater Brian Bollinger (born 1968), American football player Brian Bonsall (born 1981), American rock musician, singer, guitarist and former child actor Brian Boobbyer (1928–2011), English rugby union player Brian Borland, American football coach Brian Boru (941–1014), Irish king who overthrew the centuries-long domination of the Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill Brian Bosworth (born 1965), American former football linebacker and actor Brian Bothwell, former professional footballer Brian Branch (born 2001), American football player Brian Brandt, American electrical engineer Brian Brikowski (born 1989), American football defensive end and linebacker Brian Broomell (born 1958), American football player Brian Burrows (born 1988), American sport shooter Brian Christopher (1972–2018), American professional wrestler Brian Christopher (lacrosse) (born 1987), All American lacrosse player Brian Clough (1935–2004), British football manager Brian Colin (born 1956), American video-game designer, artist and animator Brian Cornell, American businessman Brian Cosgrove (born 1934), English animator, designer, director, producer and sculptor Brian Cowen (born 1960), former Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of the Republic of Ireland Brian Culbertson (born 1973), American musician and producer Brian de la Puente (born 1985), NFL football player Brian Dabul (born 1984), Argentine tennis player Brian De Palma (born 1940), American film director Brian Deneke (1978–1997), American teenage punk musician Brian Dennehy (1938–2020), American actor Brian Dietzen (born 1977), American actor Brian Dowling (born 1978), Irish television presenter Brian Dugan (born 1956), American convicted rapist and serial killer Brian Eley (1946–2022), British former Chess Champion and fugitive Brian Eno (born 1948), English electronic musician, music theorist and record producer Brian Enos, American sport shooter Brian Epstein (1934–1967), English businessperson, manager of The Beatles Brian Fleury, American football coach and former player Brian Folkerts (born 1990), American football player Brian Friedman (born 1977), American dancer and choreographer Brian Gaine, American football executive Brian George (born 1952), British actor Brian Gill, Lord Gill, Lord Justice Clerk of Scotland Brian Ginsberg (born 1966), American former gymnast Brian Gottfried (born 1952), American tennis player Brian Gowins (born 1976), American football player Brian Graden (born 1963), American television executive Brian Grazer (born 1951), American Oscar-winning film and television producer Brian Gutekunst (born 1973), American football executive Brian Haley (born 1961), American actor and comedian Brian Heidik (born 1968), American actor, used car salesman, and television personality Brian Herbert (born 1947), American author Brian Holland (born 1941), American songwriter and record producer Brian Horwitz (nicknamed "The Rabbi"; born 1982), American major league baseball outfielder Brian Hutton, Baron Hutton (1932–2020), British law lord and barrister Brian Jeffriess, primary spokesperson for Australia's Southern bluefin tuna fishing and aquaculture industry Brian Joo (born 1981), American-born Korean singer, former member of the R&B duo Fly to t.... 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