Find out how popular the first name Birgit has been for the last 17 years (from 1976 to 1992) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Birgit by gender

Based on the last 17 years of data, Birgit is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1992, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Birgit.

The history of the first name Birgit

The name Birgit has its origins in the Old Norse language, specifically from the words "birghit" or "birigit," which translate to "the bright one" or "she who brings brightness." This name was popular among the Germanic and Scandinavian cultures during the medieval period.

The name Birgit is believed to have first appeared in written records around the 12th century, particularly in Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. It was also occasionally used in other parts of northern Europe during the Middle Ages.

One of the earliest and most notable historical references to the name Birgit is Saint Birgitta of Sweden (1303-1373), also known as the Patron Saint of Sweden. She was a mystic, religious leader, and founder of the Bridgettine Order of nuns and monks.

Another famous bearer of the name was Birgit Nilsson (1918-2005), a renowned Swedish operatic soprano who was celebrated for her powerful voice and performances in operas by Wagner and Strauss. She was widely regarded as one of the greatest Wagnerian sopranos of the 20th century.

In the literary world, Birgit Tengroth (1935-2011) was a Swedish author and playwright who wrote several novels, plays, and children's books. Her work often explored themes of identity, relationships, and societal norms.

Birgit Grodal (1937-2019) was a Danish film director and screenwriter known for her groundbreaking work in Danish cinema. Her films, such as "Red Mangrove" (1980) and "The Stepchildren" (1997), tackled complex social issues and earned critical acclaim.

Birgit Prinz (born 1977) is a former German football player who is considered one of the greatest female footballers of all time. She won two FIFA World Cups (2003 and 2007) and five UEFA European Championships with the German national team.

While the name Birgit has its roots in ancient Germanic and Scandinavian cultures, it has since spread to various parts of the world and continues to be used as a given name, particularly in Nordic countries and parts of Europe.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Birgit was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Birgit, please contact us.

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