Etymology Explorer › Irish

Where does “Brian” come from?

Brian (Irish) comes from Proto-Brythonic brɨɣėnt, from Proto-Celtic brigantī, from Proto-Indo-European bʰérǵʰonts, from Proto-Indo-European bʰerǵʰ- — to rise; high, lofty; hill, mountain.

Ancestry of “Brian”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Proto-Brythonicbrɨɣėntprivilege, birthright
2Proto-Celticbrigantīsomething high or elevated; an exalted person
3Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰérǵʰontshigh
4Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰerǵʰ-to rise; high, lofty; hill, mountain

Words derived from “Brian”

  • Brian
  • O'Brien
  • Brianne
  • Briannica
  • Brayan
  • Brian
  • Ó Briain
  • Brian
  • Brian
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰerǵʰ- →