Briony

BRY-uh-nee
Spelling variation of Bryony, English, Greek
"to sprout, to swell"

Briony Origin and Meaning

The name Briony is a girl's name of English origin meaning "to sprout, to swell".

Briony may be the variation and Bryony the original, but many parents will see this as the more authentic-feeling version of this attractive botanical name. Melodic and bright, it was once a Top 400 name in the UK back in the 90s but has since fallen out of favor, as has Bryony.

The name of a vine once used for medicinal purposes, Briony is derived from the Greek bryo meaning "to swell, sprout, grow", likely in reference to the plants ability to climb. As such, Briony isn't related to the similar sounding Brian, though it could nevertheless make an honor name for one.

A literary choice, Briony appears in Ian McEwan's popular novel, Atonement, in which the young, imaginative Briony Tallis sets the plot in motion. In the screen adaptation, she was played by Saoirse Ronan, for which she received a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination.

In the most recent stats, no girls were called Briony (or Bryony) in the US, while in the UK, just over 30 babies were given the names collectively. With potential nicknames Bonny, Brie, or Bee, Briony could make an unexpected yet familiar option.

# 875 on Nameberry

Briony Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Popularity of the name Briony

20 Names Similar to Briony

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Famous People Named Briony

  • Briony Behets
    Australian actress
  • Briony Cole
    Australian Olympic diver
  • Briony McRoberts
    English actress
  • Briony Stewart
    Australian novelist and illustrator
  • Briony Williams
    Australian actress

The name Briony in Pop Culture

  • Briony Tallis
    character in Ian McEwan's "Atonement"
  • Briony Campbell
    character on British soap "EastEnders"
  • Briony Eddon
    character in Tad William's "Shadowmarch"