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Here's a common name that I can't recall ever seeing a post about. Not saying there's *never* been one, I just can't recall any.
My opinion of Brian is that it's the perfect example of a good name ruined by overuse. It's an old, established and handsome name---but when I was young in the seventies and eighties, it was overused, though it's fallen quite a lot in popularity now.
If I'd heard of someone using Brian in the forties and fifties, I would have thought it a great choice. When I heard of it in the seventies and eighties, I'd roll my eyes and think, "Are they not aware of the popularity charts? Don't they want their child's name to stand out just a little bit?"
Now it must be on its way to being dated.
What do you think of Brian? Would its erstwhile popularity deter you from using it? My brother's stepson is named Bryan. Do you prefer Brian or Bryan? (I prefer Brian.)
My opinion of Brian is that it's the perfect example of a good name ruined by overuse. It's an old, established and handsome name---but when I was young in the seventies and eighties, it was overused, though it's fallen quite a lot in popularity now.
If I'd heard of someone using Brian in the forties and fifties, I would have thought it a great choice. When I heard of it in the seventies and eighties, I'd roll my eyes and think, "Are they not aware of the popularity charts? Don't they want their child's name to stand out just a little bit?"
Now it must be on its way to being dated.
What do you think of Brian? Would its erstwhile popularity deter you from using it? My brother's stepson is named Bryan. Do you prefer Brian or Bryan? (I prefer Brian.)
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Replies
I love this name and honestly, would use it in a heartbeat. So handsome!
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I had no idea Brian was overly used in the 70's and 80's. That would account for why I see next to no enthusiasm for it now. It's always been a mystery for me because I consider it a good, handsome, underappreciated name.
I thought the reason was the uber-popularity of Briana in the 90's. Yuck-o I hate Briana. I'd much rather see Bryony used as a "feminine form" of Brian even though stricktly speaking it isn't a form of Brian.
Now is exactly the time when Brian would stand out in the newest generation. He'd be one of the very few Brians around in his age group.
I only like the Brian spelling. Bryan seems trendy and down-market.
I thought the reason was the uber-popularity of Briana in the 90's. Yuck-o I hate Briana. I'd much rather see Bryony used as a "feminine form" of Brian even though stricktly speaking it isn't a form of Brian.
Now is exactly the time when Brian would stand out in the newest generation. He'd be one of the very few Brians around in his age group.
I only like the Brian spelling. Bryan seems trendy and down-market.
This message was edited 8/31/2010, 10:52 AM
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It's my father's name, and he was born in the fifties. It's also the name of one of my cousins (from my mom's side of the family), and I think he's in his twenties or thirties.
It doesn't sound hopelessly dated to my ears, and I think if I wanted to use it that wouldn't be a deterrent.
I'm not sure which spelling I prefer, but if I did use it I'd probably spell it Brian, like my dad.
It doesn't sound hopelessly dated to my ears, and I think if I wanted to use it that wouldn't be a deterrent.
I'm not sure which spelling I prefer, but if I did use it I'd probably spell it Brian, like my dad.
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I somewhat agree. I think it's a great name, but it is boring to think about because there are just so many of them around my age and a bit older. I think it would be nice to see a little Brian nowadays. I prefer it spelled Brian.
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Still a very good name, I think.
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Brian is a fine name...
...I actually like the sound, I don't see it as too dated for use and I certainly don't picture an old man. I can't say I'd probably use it myself simply because I have several other names I'm in love with, but I'd be happy to meet a baby Brian. Prefer traditional spelling.
Brian Alastair
Brian Timothy
Brian Sterling
Brian Frederick
Brian Leander
Brian Malachi
Brian Pierce
Brian Stuart
Brian Edmund
Brian Theodore
Brian Patrick
Brian Orlando
Brian Xavier
...I actually like the sound, I don't see it as too dated for use and I certainly don't picture an old man. I can't say I'd probably use it myself simply because I have several other names I'm in love with, but I'd be happy to meet a baby Brian. Prefer traditional spelling.
Brian Alastair
Brian Timothy
Brian Sterling
Brian Frederick
Brian Leander
Brian Malachi
Brian Pierce
Brian Stuart
Brian Edmund
Brian Theodore
Brian Patrick
Brian Orlando
Brian Xavier
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I don't like either... mainly because it reminds of an older man (50's). I know someone who recently named their baby Gary (which I think is just like Brian) and it was so weird to see a baby Gary! I also think of the dog from Family Guy..
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Brian used to be my favourite boy's name. I still like it but it's not really my style anymore - I've moved on to Bryony! I do think Brian is on it's way to becoming dated. One of my best friend's older brothers is named Brian Jacob, I always thought that was nice.
I prefer Brian over Bryon, but I'm not really picky about it. I just think Bryan looks too much like Byron.
I prefer Brian over Bryon, but I'm not really picky about it. I just think Bryan looks too much like Byron.
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My grandfather's name is Brian and he was born in 1939 :)
I would use it as a middle name to honour him.
I would use it as a middle name to honour him.
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Kudos to your great-grandparents for being ahead of the times---they were trendsetters! Yep, if I'd been alive in 1939, I would have wholly approved.
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Actually
Here in the UK a Brian born in the 1930s is pretty much 'trendy'. I'd expect a Brian to be in his 60s or 70s.
It seems it was falling out of favour here when it was becoming more popular in the US.
Here in the UK a Brian born in the 1930s is pretty much 'trendy'. I'd expect a Brian to be in his 60s or 70s.
It seems it was falling out of favour here when it was becoming more popular in the US.
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Yeah, it did occur to me that Mireio might not be in the US and that our popularity trends wouldn't apply. Occurred to me too late, though.
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Yeah, I am in the UK. Brian definitely is more of an 'older' name here.
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I'm afraid I don't have any good words for Brian. Not only is terribly overused I find it to be a very unattractive name. I prefer the spelling of Brian simply because I don't like the use of y's in male names.
In my area we have a ton of Brian/Bryan/Bryons and even more Ryans. I even know a family with a Brian and a Ryan. The sound alike factor of these names make them even worse.
On a side note the oldest Brian I know is 50-ish and the youngest is probably teenage.
In my area we have a ton of Brian/Bryan/Bryons and even more Ryans. I even know a family with a Brian and a Ryan. The sound alike factor of these names make them even worse.
On a side note the oldest Brian I know is 50-ish and the youngest is probably teenage.
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Not my fave for the reasons you listed.
Like you said, its overdone and that's a shame. Ryan has replaced Bryan / Brian and I think the B sound and look has made some people think the name cumbersome and heavy. Maybe in the next 50 years or so when all the other Bryans / Brians have died out it could make a comeback. I can hear people say, "Oh, my grandfather's name was Bryan / Brian. Let's name our little girl Bryan / Brian to honor him." lol ... And then another name stollen for the girls :oP Seriously, I think, like all "old fashioned" names, it'll come back. It may be a while, though.
Like you said, its overdone and that's a shame. Ryan has replaced Bryan / Brian and I think the B sound and look has made some people think the name cumbersome and heavy. Maybe in the next 50 years or so when all the other Bryans / Brians have died out it could make a comeback. I can hear people say, "Oh, my grandfather's name was Bryan / Brian. Let's name our little girl Bryan / Brian to honor him." lol ... And then another name stollen for the girls :oP Seriously, I think, like all "old fashioned" names, it'll come back. It may be a while, though.
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