SEARCH FOR A PERSONAL NAME Whats in a name - a survey of first names

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Home Contact us FAQs News Help About us T&Cs Links Nicol (M)> Eiluned (M)> Nico (M)> Nicholl (M)> Dorothy (F)> Melanie (F)> Michêle (F)> Matha (M)> Mats (M)> Nina (F)> Martha (F)> Mikey (M)> Bryant (M)> Françoise (F)> Brian (M)>

Brian (male)

Synonym(s):Bernard (M)
Diminutive(s):Bri (M)
Pet Name(s):Beano (M)
Can be spelt:Brien (M) Bryan (M)
Feminine form:Brianne (F)
   
Source(s): The Oxford Names Companion, OUP
"Scottish Forenames" - Donald Whyte, FGH, FSG

Rootsweb Y-IRL Discussion Group [BM2 & KD]
Notes:

English and Irish, origin uncertain; possibly from Celtic "high/noble (hill)" [ONC], maybe from Brittany [Whyte].

A correspondent [BM2] has noted that Brian and Bernard can be interchangeable, especially in Irish Catholic families.  A correspondent [KD] suggests the reason is that Bernard is a recognized Catholic saint whereas Brian is not.
Thanks to Donald Whyte who provided much of the initial information for this site. Copyright: Ray Hennessy 2004-2013
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