Briar

♀ Girl

Pronounced BRY-er /ˈbraɪ.ər/High

Meaning: From Old English brær or brer meaning a prickly shrub, especially a wild rose bush; used as a given name for its fairy-tale and nature associationsHigh

In 30 seconds: Briar is a wild and romantic Old English nature name meaning 'thorny shrub,' with deep fairy-tale roots from Sleeping Beauty — beautiful, a little prickly, and utterly distinctive.

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Origin HighOld English

MeaningFrom Old English brær or brer meaning a prickly shrub, especially a wild rose bush; used as a given name for its fairy-tale and nature associations

U.S. rank (2025)#400 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births778 girls (0.05% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 7,000

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Briar comes from Old English brær, referring to a prickly or thorny shrub, particularly a wild rose. In Sleeping Beauty folk traditions the name Briar Rose was used for the sleeping princess, cementing its fairy-tale resonance.

Briar emerged as a given name in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, riding the popularity of nature names and fairy-tale names simultaneously. It is used predominantly for girls in the United States.

Did you know? In many versions of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale, the princess is named Briar Rose — the briar hedge that grows around her enchanted castle is the defining image of the tale, making this name synonymous with beauty under enchantment.

Overall data confidence 90%

Behind the Name — Briar — etymology notesU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

BrierBryar

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Briar Nolet (1998-)
Canadian dancer and actress known for The Next Step

If you like Briar…

Brynn— shares the crisp, nature-tinged two-syllable feel and modern botanical charm

Fern— another Old English botanical name with the same wild, woodland spirit

Ivy— shares the climbing-plant nature imagery and fairy-tale feminine appeal

Rose— shares the wild rose heritage and classic romantic simplicity

Explore names like Briar

By themenature old-english romantic botanical

By meaningFlower Gift / Blessing Earth / Nature Rose

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Briar mean?

Briar means a thorny or prickly shrub from Old English brær, particularly associated with the wild rose.

How do you pronounce Briar?

It is said BRY-er /ˈbraɪ.ər/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Briar a fairy-tale name?

Yes, Briar Rose is the name given to Sleeping Beauty in many folk versions of the tale.

Is Briar popular?

Briar has been rising steadily as a girls' name in the U.S., appealing to fans of nature and fairy-tale names.