Briar for a boy

plunderb

Going through the state name data, I noticed Briar, which is gaining some popularity in states like West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Nebraska, Oklahoma, etc. Basically, states with large populations of rural, white residents who seem to like rugged, cowboyish names. These are also the states where lots of Br- names are popular (Brantley, Brentley, Braxton, Bryson, Bryston, Braylon, Brayton, etc.). Also Oregon (they love their nature names). Variant spellings Bryar and Bryer are also creeping onto the charts. 

I find myself liking Briar more than the Brantleys, but I'm curious about your thoughts on this emerging name. No more kids for me, just trawling for opinions.

Ceridwen21

Brantley is awful.  Briar is all girl to me (Briar Rose - sleeping beauty?)

drpayne

All of those names sound completely made up and awful, honestly.

Mmejesaistout

Totes reminds me of Briar Rose, and I would never consider naming someone after a character in a Disney movie. 

FrecklesInside

Briar is better than every other Br name you listed, but I'm still not a fan. 

Helenahhandbasket

I love Briar.

I slightly prefer it for a girl, but I could see how it can work for a boy.

CiderWench

It could make a nice middle name for either boy or girl. I'm not really liking it for a first name, though.

Manderlin923

I love Briar for a girl. It's ok for a boy.

DaisyZH

I don't like Briar for a boy but I think it's an okay girl name.

capulet

I went to school with a boy named Briar.  It was kind of a blunt botanical pun with his last name, but I don't mind nature names and find it more appealing than most of the trendy Br- names.

queenbone

I can see Briar working for a boy, they are full or thorns which seems masculine. It wouldn't phase me in the least; there was a boy named Cypress on the opposing LL team yesterday.

LyndseylovesHugh

I know a little boy named Briar, he is about 10. He has a sister named Brink.ley and I always have to stop and think if briar is the boy or the girl since it's a feminine sounding name (and his sister has a more masculine sounding name IMO).