Briar

unisexEnglish

Briar is an unisex name of English origin, meaning “Thorny wild rose bush”.

MeaningThorny wild rose bush
GenderUnisex
OriginEnglish
PronunciationBRY-er
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inUnited States, Australia, New Zealand

Meaning and origin of Briar

Briar is the English word for thorny shrubs such as the wild rose and bramble, from Old English brer. In fairy tales it calls to mind Briar Rose, the sleeping princess of the Grimm story better known as Sleeping Beauty. As a given name it is a recent nature name, used for both girls and boys, with a slight lean toward girls in some countries.

Is Briar a religious name?

Briar has no religious background; it is a nature word name.

How popular is Briar?

A rising but still uncommon nature name.

Gifts with the name Briar

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Spellings and variants of Briar

BryarBrier

Names similar to Briar

More unisex names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Briar mean?

Briar means 'Thorny wild rose bush'. It is of English origin.

Does Briar have a religious meaning?

Briar has no religious background; it is a nature word name.

How do you pronounce Briar?

Briar is pronounced BRY-er.

Is Briar a boy or girl name?

Briar is used for both boys and girls.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.