How Many People Are Named Brian?
Complete statistics for the name Brian: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Brian means 'high' or 'noble', and it's surprisingly common, with 1,036,266 people bearing this name in the US, making up 1 in 318 Americans. It peaked in popularity back in 1972 when 36,480 babies were named Brian.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life-path number 8 symbolizes power, authority, and success.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 49All 1,177,325 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1972Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Brian Through the Generations
Brian has been a steady presence in American naming trends since its peak in 1972, reflecting a generation now entering their golden years. Today, the majority of Brians are aged between 30 and 60, indicating a strong middle-age demographic. With 127,650 under 30 and 280,196 over 60, the name shows a balanced distribution across different age groups, suggesting a lasting appeal despite its declining trend.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Brian
Brian is a masculine given name of Irish and Breton origin, as well as a surname of Occitan origin. It is common in the English-speaking world.…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Brian's Old Irish roots
📄 About the Name Brian
How Many People Have the Name Brian?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 3,738 people in the United States currently share the name Brian. That works out to roughly 1 in every 88,670 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Brian a Common or Rare Name?
Brian is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Brian Mean?
Brian means "high, noble" and comes from Old Irish origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 8.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Brian in SSA data, approximately 100% are male and 0% are female.
When Was Brian Most Popular?
The name Brian reached peak popularity in 1972, with 36,480 babies registered that year. Current trend: Declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Brian?
Approximately 3,738 people named Brian live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 3,738. That works out to roughly 1 in 88,670 Americans.
Is Brian a rare name?
Brian is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 88,670 Americans has this name.
What does the name Brian mean?
Brian means "high, noble" and comes from Old Irish origins.
Is Brian more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 100% of people named Brian are male and 0% are female.
When was Brian most popular?
Brian peaked in 1972 with 36,480 births that year. Current trend: Declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.