boys' name · peaked 1963

Brien

Every Brien since 1925 — 3,593 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.020.040.060.0818801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#9,864
among boys
Babies in 2025
7
named Brien
Peak year
1963
99 babies
All-time total
3,593
since 1925

The story of Brien

Brien is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #9,864 in 2025 with 7 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1925, 3,593 American babies have been named Brien. Its peak came in 1963, when 99 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Brien stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Brien year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 7 #9,864
2024 6 #11,152
2023
2022
2021 5 #12,427
2020 7 #9,722
2019
2018 11 #7,194
2017 12 #6,746
2016 7 #9,820
2015 9 #8,134
2014 6 #10,913
2013 13 #6,290
2012 13 #6,363
2011 9 #8,170
2010 12 #6,740
2009 13 #6,483
2008 11 #7,264
2007 23 #4,255
2006 24 #4,014
2005 27 #3,539
2004 23 #3,875
2003 33 #2,932
2002 36 #2,641
2001 25 #3,425
2000 30 #2,925
1995 48 #1,803
1990 52 #1,589
1985 68 #1,126
1980 74 #1,048
1975 68 #995
1970 84 #881
1965 70 #874
1960 71 #898
1955 41 #1,171
1950 27 #1,400
1945 13 #1,939
1940
1935
1930
1925 5 #4,280
1920
1915
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Brien in 2025?

Brien ranked #9,864 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 7 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Brien?

3,593 babies have been named Brien in the United States since 1925, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Brien most popular?

Brien peaked in 1963, when 99 newborns received the name.

Is Brien a boy or girl name?

Brien is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Brien rising or falling?

Brien is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Names like Brien

Compare Brien with similar names →