Brian

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ORIGIN AND HISTORY

While the origin of the name Brian is up for debate, some believe it derives from Old Celtic "bre" meaing "hill." By extension, Brian is related to the concepts of "height" and "nobility." Others believe the name derives its root from "bri" meaning force or strength, "brigh" meaning valor, courage or strength, or "bruaich" meaning a hill, steep or high.

King Brian Boru of Ireland most notably bore the name until he was killed on Good Friday in 1014.

In the middle ages, the name was introduced to England by Scandinavians from Ireland as well as Bretons from Brittany. The name remains quite common in Ireland and has caught on in England, the United States and Canada.

POPULARITY

According to the 1990 United States Census, Brian is the 20th most popular male first name and the 6,239th most popular last name. In the United States, the name Brian broke into the Top 100 most popular names circa 1940 and has maintained a rank in the Top 100 ever since. In the United States, the name Brian has ranked in the Top 1,000 boys names during nine decades since 1880.

FACTS

• April 23rd is associated with the name Brian.
• Slovaks celebrate the name Brian on September 6th.

NAMESAKES

• "The Life of Brian" is a Monty Python Film about a young man named Brian.
  
• "Brian Griffin" is a fictional dog in the television show "Family Guy."
  
• "What About Brian" is a television series that only lasted two seasons in 2006-2007.
  
• "Brian Wilson" is a song by "The Barenaked Ladies."
  
• "Brian's Song" is a song by Johnny Mathis.
  

FAMOUS PERSONS

• Brian Boru - Irish King (1002-1014) who liberated the country from the Danes in 1014 and was killed at the Battle of Clontarf.
  
• Brian Douglas Wilson - A highly influential pop composer best known as a musician of "The Beach Boys."
  
• Brian Setzer - Singer, songwriter and guitarist of "The Brian Setzer Orchestra."
• Brian De Palma - Film director who directed the movie "Scarface."
  
• Brian Dennehy - Movie and television actor.
  
• Brian Merriman - Poet who advocated the emancipation of women in "Cúirt an Mheadhoin Oidhche."
  
• Brian O'Nolan - Irish writer who wrote under the pseudonym 'Flann O'Brien.'
  
• Brian Wade Grant - Basketball player who played power forward and center.
  
• Brian Thomas Littrell - Singer best known as a member of the pop group "The Backstreet Boys."
  
• Brian Phillip Welch - Musician best known as a founding member of the band "Korn."
  
• Brian Urlacher - Professional football Pro Bowl middle linebacker of the Chicago Bears.
  
• Brian Mitchell - Professional football who spent his career playing for three different NFC East teams, most notably the Washington Redskins.
  

NOTES

OTHER BRIAN'S

Brian Turpin, Brian Braddock, Brian Gordon, Brian Leftwich, Brian McDowell, Brian Perkins, Brian Rodgers, Brian Stevens, Brian Webster, Brian Smith, Brian Johnson, Brian Williams, Brian Jones, Brian Brown, Brian Davis, Brian Miller, Brian Wilson, Brian Moore, Brian Taylor, Brian Aabel, Brian Aaberg, Brian Aaby, Brian Aadms, Brian Aadnesen, Brian Aagaard, Brian Aagard, Brian Aagesen, Brian Aaker, Brian Aakre, Brian Aalberts, Brian Aalgaard, Brian Aalpoel, Brian Aamlid, Brian Aamodt, Brian Aandahl, Brian Aanderud, Brian Aanenson, Brian Aanstad, Brian Aardema, Brian Aaron, Brian Aarons, Brian Aarstad, Brian Aarts, Brian Aarup, Brian Aas, Brian Aasby, Brian Aasen, Brian Aasland, Brian Aasman, Brian Ababurko, More results

Author: Rich Kachold