Brien

Brien is a surname and given name of Irish origin. As a surname it is an Anglicized form of Ó Briain, meaning “descendant of Brián,” the Gaelic personal name from which the given name Brian is derived. The root name Brian is commonly associated with Old Irish Brián, with meanings commonly rendered as “noble” or “honorable.” The Ó Briain lineage was a notable medieval ruling family in Ireland, and Brian Boru, a celebrated High King, is among the most famous bearers of the name.

The name Brien is found in Ireland and in many places settled by Irish communities, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Variants seen in historical and contemporary records include Brion and, less commonly, Bryne; Byrne is a distinct surname derived from Ó Broin and is not a direct variant of Ó Briain.

In contemporary usage, Brien is primarily a surname but is also used as a given name on occasion. When used as a given name, it can be a variant spelling of Brian, chosen for personal or familial reasons, and it may be pronounced as either “BREE-en” or “BRY-en” depending on regional or personal preference. The name remains most closely linked to the Irish heritage from which it originated.