Find out how popular the first name Brayan has been for the last 45 years (from 1979 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Brayan by gender

Based on the last 45 years of data, Brayan is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Brayan being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 282 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Brayan.

The history of the first name Brayan

The name Brayan has its origins in the ancient Celtic culture, with roots dating back to the 5th century AD. It is derived from the Brythonic word "brychan," which means "freckled" or "speckled." This name was commonly used among the Britons, a Celtic people who inhabited what is now Great Britain and parts of modern-day France.

In the early medieval period, the name Brayan gained popularity among the Welsh and Cornish populations. It is believed to have been introduced to the region by Brychan Brycheiniog, a legendary Welsh king and saint who lived in the 5th century. The name later spread to other parts of Europe through the movement of Celtic tribes and the influence of Welsh and Cornish culture.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Brayan can be found in the Annales Cambriae, a medieval Welsh chronicle dating back to the 10th century. The chronicle mentions a figure named "Brayan ap Conan," who lived in the 11th century and was a descendant of the Welsh royal lineage.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Brayan. One of the most famous was Brayan Borlu, a 12th-century Norman knight and crusader who fought in the Third Crusade alongside Richard the Lionheart. Another was Brayan de Bampton, an English lawyer and judge who served as Chief Justice of the Common Pleas from 1349 to 1350.

In the literary world, the name Brayan is associated with Brayan Anwyl, a 16th-century Welsh poet and scholar who was renowned for his works in both Welsh and Latin. His contemporaries included the celebrated poet and playwright William Shakespeare (1564-1616), who may have been familiar with the name.

The name Brayan also has a connection to the Arthurian legends. In the 15th-century Welsh manuscript known as the "White Book of Rhydderch," there is a character named "Brayan the Blessed," who is described as one of King Arthur's knights and a descendant of Brychan Brycheiniog.

While the name Brayan has its roots in Celtic culture, it has since spread to various parts of the world, particularly through the influence of Welsh and Cornish diaspora communities. Its enduring legacy is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Celtic peoples and their lasting impact on the development of modern naming traditions.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Brayan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Brayan, please contact us.

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