Details for the forename Brian

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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.