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Home › Baby Names Directory › Brilliant

Brilliant

♂ Boy

Pronounced BRIL-yunt /ˈbrɪl.jənt/Medium

Meaning: From the English word brilliant, 'shining brightly; sparkling; splendid; exceptionally clever' — itself from French briller, 'to shine.' A bold virtue-style word-name, stated plainly.Low

In 30 seconds: A bright word-name: Brilliant means 'shining; splendid' (said 'BRIL-yunt'). Bold and hopeful.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningFrom the English word brilliant, 'shining brightly; sparkling; splendid; exceptionally clever' — itself from French briller, 'to shine.' A bold virtue-style word-name, stated plainly.
U.S. rank (2023)#9036 ↗ Rising
2023 U.S. births8 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2022
Total births (all-time)≈ 40

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202320112023

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

Brilliant is the English word 'shining brightly; splendid; exceptionally clever,' from French briller, 'to shine.' As a name it reads bold and aspirational — rare in the U.S. (said 'BRIL-yunt').

In the U.S. it appears only rarely as a name. Rare, shining, and bold.

Did you know? Brilliant is the English word for 'shining brightly; sparkling; splendid; exceptionally clever,' from French briller, 'to shine' — a bold, hopeful word-name, stated plainly (said 'BRIL-yunt').
Overall data confidence 44%
References — Brilliant — English word 'shining; splendid'; from French briller

Variations

BrillianceBrillantBrilliont

Nicknames

BrillAnt

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Brilliant…

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Legend— a like aspirational word-name
Majesty— a like grand word-name
Sincere— a like virtue word-name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Brilliant mean?

Brilliant is the English word for 'shining brightly; splendid; exceptionally clever,' used as a name.

How do you pronounce Brilliant?

It's said BRIL-yunt /ˈbrɪl.jənt/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Brilliant a boy or girl name?

Brilliant is used here as a boy's name.

How popular is Brilliant?

Brilliant is a rare name in the U.S.

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