What a nice suggestion! Brian is an overlooked classic, and happens to be a nice cross of Ryan and Brendan. (Just not that Bryan spelling, please.) I hope the parents like Brian too.
Bryan is an ex so no go. We're really down to Ryan or Brendan. I think Ryan sounds stronger, and if I were a guy I'd want a strong popular name over a weak cutesie name any day. Used to love Brendan...now it seems a lil soft to my ear.