Find out how popular the first name Briany has been for the last 24 years (from 2000 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Briany by gender

Based on the last 24 years of data, Briany is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 22 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Briany.

The history of the first name Briany

The name Briany is believed to have its origins in the Celtic language of ancient Britain, dating back to the 5th century AD. It is thought to be derived from the old Brythonic word "bri," meaning "hill" or "ridge," and the suffix "-any," which was commonly used to denote a place or location. This suggests that Briany may have originally referred to a person who lived on or near a hill or ridge.

In its earliest recorded forms, the name appeared as "Brianni" or "Briannus" in various ancient texts and inscriptions found in what is now England and Wales. These early mentions provide evidence of the name's use among the Celtic tribes that inhabited these regions during the Roman occupation of Britain.

One of the earliest known individuals with the name Briany was a Briton chieftain who lived in the late 5th century AD. He is mentioned in the ancient Welsh chronicle "Annales Cambriae" as leading a rebellion against the invading Anglo-Saxons in the year 490 AD.

In the 6th century, a Briton bishop named Briany is recorded as attending the Synod of Llandewibrefi, an important ecclesiastical council held in Wales. This suggests that the name was also in use among the Christian clergy of the time.

During the Middle Ages, the name Briany appeared in various records and chronicles, including the "Brut y Tywysogion" (Chronicle of the Princes), which mentions a Briany ap Rhys, a Welsh prince who lived in the 12th century.

In the 13th century, a Scottish nobleman named Briany de Brus is recorded as being one of the supporters of King Robert the Bruce during the Scottish Wars of Independence against England.

Another notable figure with the name Briany was an Irish poet and bard who lived in the 16th century. Known as Briany Óg Mac an Bhaird, he was renowned for his compositions in the traditional Irish language and is considered one of the last great Gaelic poets of the period.

While the name Briany has fallen out of common usage in modern times, its historical roots and associations with the Celtic cultures of Britain and Ireland provide a rich tapestry of meaning and significance.

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 Briany was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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