# Brian

/ˈbɹaɪən/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/brian
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. male name

noun · CEFR A1

a common first name for a man.

For teachers: A masculine given name of Celtic origin, widely used in English-speaking countries.

- My friend Brian is coming over for dinner tonight.
- The historical records indicate that Brian Boru was a celebrated High King of Ireland who unified the country in the eleventh century.

## Examples

- My friend Brian is coming over for dinner tonight.
- The manager, Brian, will be happy to assist you with your refund request.
- While the name Brian has seen fluctuating popularity over the decades, it remains a staple of English nomenclature, often associated with historical figures and modern professionals alike.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.