Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Briar
UnisexEnglish· “thorny shrub”
- Meaning
- thorny shrub
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- BRY-ur
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #400
- US babies 2025
- 778
- Best rank
- #400 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Briar
Briar is an English name that means “thorny shrub”.
Briar is the English word for a thorny shrub, especially the wild rose, from the Old English brer. It appears in the fairy tale of Briar Rose, the German title for the story of Sleeping Beauty, in which a thorny hedge grows around a sleeping princess. As a given name Briar is a recent nature choice used for both boys and girls. It feels wild, romantic and outdoorsy, with a soft two-syllable sound. Brier is an alternative spelling, and Bri is a possible nickname.
Other spellings with the same sound: Bryer, Brier.
Popularity over time
Briar first appears in US Social Security records in 1972. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 11 different years, starting in 2015. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #400, and its highest count, 778 babies. Use has grown 132% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #8,263 in 1980, #3,674 in 2000, #2,590 in 2010, and #400 in 2025. Of the 7,002 US girls named Briar since records began, 52% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 2,587 babies.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Murphy, Kayce, Sunny, Rowen, and Miller.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Briar ranked highest in South Dakota, North Dakota, and Iowa.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | #75 | 12 |
| North Dakota | #103 | 9 |
| Iowa | #106 | 29 |
| New Hampshire | #124 | 10 |
| Nebraska | #170 | 13 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Briar is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 57% of US babies named Briar were girls and 43% were boys.
Briar is usually pronounced BRY-ur, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with B and ends in “-ar”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Bryer and Brier.
Middle names for Briar
A few middle names that flow with Briar: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Briar
Similar names
Oakley Unisex
OHK-lee
“oak clearing” · English
#156
Olive Girl
AH-lihv
“olive tree” · English
#197
Aspen Girl
AS-puhn
“aspen tree” · English
#266
Rowan Unisex
ROH-uhn
“little red one; rowan tree” · Irish
#59
Willow Girl
WIH-loh
“willow tree” · English
#44
Ivy Girl
EYE-vee
“ivy plant” · English
#39
Holly Girl
HAH-lee
“the holly tree” · English
#416
Laurel Girl
LOR-uhl
“laurel tree” · English
#734
Bear Boy
BEHR
“bear” · English
#853
River Unisex
RIH-vur
“river” · English
#111
Sage Unisex
SAYJ
“wise; the herb” · Latin
#160
Haven Girl
HAY-vuhn
“safe place, harbor” · English
#190
Lists that include Briar
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Briar mean?
Briar is an English name that means “thorny shrub”.
What is the origin of the name Briar?
Briar has English roots. Briar is the English word for a thorny shrub, especially the wild rose, from the Old English brer.
Is Briar a popular name?
Yes. Briar ranked #400 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Briar a boy or girl name?
Briar is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 57% of US babies named Briar were girls and 43% were boys.
How do you pronounce Briar?
Briar is usually pronounced BRY-ur. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings