How popular is the name Bryan?

In 2025, 77 boys born in England and Wales were named Bryan, ranking 497th. Its peak was 2015, with 89 births.

Is Bryan a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 391,306 US babies named Bryan since 1880 were boys.

When was Bryan most popular?

1985 in the United States, when 8,717 babies were named Bryan, its highest rank at 48th.

How do you pronounce Bryan?

Bryan is /ˈbɹaɪən/, 2 syllables.

Is Bryan also a surname?

Yes. Bryan is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.

The first name Bryan

A boy’s name from Irish.

Pronounced /ˈbɹaɪən/ 2 syllables Male Also a surname

Meaning and origin

Irish origin

A male given name from Irish, a less common alternative spelling of Brian.

A form of Brian.

From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Popularity

Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

In 2025, 77 boys were named Bryan, making it the 497th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2015, with 89 births (#456).

1,805

babies named Bryan, 1996–2025

#497

rank in 2025

2015

peak year

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Bryan with other names.

Popularity in the United States

Babies named Bryan at birth, 1880–2025

In 2025, 1,005 boys born in the United States were named Bryan, the 336th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1985, when 8,717 were.

391,306

babies named Bryan since 1880

#336

rank in 2025

1985

peak year

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

Bryan in other languages

Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary

براين

Arabic

布賴恩 /布赖恩

Bùlàiēn

Chinese, also 布萊恩 /布莱恩

Μπράιαν

Bráian

Greek

ブライアン

Japanese

브라이언

beuraieon

Korean

Бра́йан

Brájan

Russian

Nicknames and spellings

Other spellings and forms

Brienne

Famous people named Bryan

121 on Wikidata, most written-about first

Bryan Adams
Canadian singer-songwriter and musician (born 1959)
Bryan Cranston
American actor (born 1956)
Bryan Ruiz
Costa Rican footballer, born 1985
Bryan Singer
American film director and producer, born 1965
Bryan Ferry
British singer (born 1945)
Bryan Robson
English footballer and manager, born 1957
Bryan Mbeumo
Cameroonian-French footballer (born 1999)
Bryan Greenberg
American actor and musician, born 1978
Bryan Oviedo
Costa Rican association football player, born 1990
Bryan Brown
Australian actor, born 1947
Bryan Clay
American decathlete, born 1980
Bryan Roy
Dutch association football player and manager, born 1970

More Irish boys’ names

All 142 names of Irish origin

Questions

What is the origin of the name Bryan?: Bryan comes from Irish.
How popular is the name Bryan?: In 2025, 77 boys born in England and Wales were named Bryan, ranking 497th. Its peak was 2015, with 89 births.
Is Bryan a boy's or a girl's name?: Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 391,306 US babies named Bryan since 1880 were boys.
When was Bryan most popular?: 1985 in the United States, when 8,717 babies were named Bryan, its highest rank at 48th.
How do you pronounce Bryan?: Bryan is /ˈbɹaɪən/, 2 syllables.
What name is Bryan a form of?: Bryan is a form of Brian.
What are other spellings of Bryan?: Brienne.
Is Bryan also a surname?: Yes. Bryan is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.