I like it as a male or female, but Iknow a really cool little boy named Briar, so I'll have to go with male.
I don't think it'stoo severe for a girl... I mostly like it on a girl because it isn't 'soft' or anything.
I like Briar Luke, Briar Lucas, Briar Osiris, Briar Darwin, Briar Augustus, Briar Griffin, Briar Gryphon, Briar James, Briar Patrek (random odd spelling of the day), and Briar Haytham.