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
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proto-Brythonic | brɨɣėnt | privilege, birthright |
| 2 | Proto-Celtic | brigantī | something high or elevated; an exalted person |
| 3 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰérǵʰonts | high |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰerǵʰ- | to rise; high, lofty; hill, mountain |