Find out how popular the first name Brilliant has been for the last 13 years (from 2011 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Brilliant by gender

Based on the last 13 years of data, Brilliant is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 71% of people named Brilliant being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Brilliant.

The history of the first name Brilliant

The given name Brilliant is derived from the Latin word "brilliare," which means "to sparkle or shine." It emerged as a name during the Renaissance period in Europe, particularly in Italy and France, where the revival of classical learning and arts led to an appreciation for intellectual brilliance and creativity.

One of the earliest recorded uses of Brilliant as a given name dates back to the 15th century. It was bestowed upon notable scholars, artists, and thinkers who were celebrated for their exceptional talents and intellectual achievements. For instance, Brilliant Fontana, an Italian painter and architect born in 1481, was renowned for his frescoes and architectural works in Urbino.

During the Age of Enlightenment in the 17th and 18th centuries, the name Brilliant gained further popularity as a symbol of reason, scientific inquiry, and the pursuit of knowledge. Brilliant Descartes, a French philosopher and mathematician born in 1596, is considered one of the founding figures of modern philosophy and is celebrated for his famous quote, "I think, therefore I am."

In the 19th century, the name Brilliant transcended its intellectual connotations and was adopted by families from various social backgrounds. Brilliant Clemens, an American writer and humorist better known as Mark Twain, was born in 1835 and is renowned for his works such as "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer."

The 20th century saw the continued use of Brilliant as a given name, often bestowed upon individuals with a passion for learning and intellectual pursuits. Brilliant Einstein, the renowned German-born theoretical physicist born in 1879, is perhaps one of the most famous bearers of the name, celebrated for his groundbreaking work in relativity and his influential contributions to modern physics.

Another notable figure with the name Brilliant is Brilliant Feynman, an American theoretical physicist born in 1918, who was widely recognized for his work in quantum mechanics and quantum electrodynamics, as well as his engaging and insightful lectures on physics and scientific curiosity.

While the name Brilliant has been used across various cultures and time periods, its origins and historical associations remain rooted in the celebration of intellectual brilliance, creativity, and the pursuit of knowledge.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!