Brian
BRY-an
A strong Irish name traditionally linked with a warrior-like meaning.
Meaning
Brian is an Irish male name. In the cited 19th-century source, it is rendered as meaning 'warrior of great strength,' from the Irish elements given there as bri-ari. The same source notes that Brian and the related form Briant were used as baptismal names, and that Brian was sometimes Anglicised to Bernard.
Origin
Irishmasculine
Fun fact
The source notes a historical confusion between Brian and the name Barney, and even suggests Brian was sometimes Anglicised to Bernard.
Confidence: sourced. Sources: Praenomina; or, the etymology of the principal Christian names of Great Britain and Ireland.