Find out how popular the first name Birk has been for the last 14 years (from 2008 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Birk by gender

Based on the last 14 years of data, Birk is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2021, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Birk.

The history of the first name Birk

The name Birk has its origins in Old Norse and Old English. It is derived from the Old Norse word "birki," which means "birch tree." The birch tree was a significant symbol in Norse mythology and was associated with fertility, renewal, and new beginnings.

In Old English, the word "birce" also referred to the birch tree. The name Birk likely emerged as a personal name during the Viking Age (793-1066 AD) when there was significant cultural exchange and interaction between Norse and Anglo-Saxon societies.

The earliest recorded use of the name Birk dates back to the 11th century. One of the earliest known individuals with this name was Birk Brynjarsson, an Icelandic chieftain who lived in the late 10th and early 11th centuries.

During the Middle Ages, the name Birk was prevalent in Scandinavia, particularly in Denmark and Sweden. Some notable historical figures with this name include Birk Gunnarsson (1237-1301), a Swedish lawspeaker and member of the Riksråd (Council of the Realm), and Birk Jonsson (1292-1366), a Danish nobleman and military commander.

In the 16th century, the name Birk was also found in Germany, where it was often spelled as "Birck" or "Bircke." One notable German figure with this name was Sixt Birck (1501-1554), a Protestant reformer and theologian who played a significant role in the Reformation.

Another historical figure with the name Birk was Birk Bjelke (1648-1714), a Norwegian naval officer who served as the Governor of Trondheim and played a crucial role in the Great Northern War against Sweden.

As the name Birk spread across Europe, it also found its way to England, where it was sometimes anglicized as "Birch." One notable Englishman with this name was Thomas Birch (1705-1766), a historian and biographer who wrote extensively about the lives of notable figures from the 17th and 18th centuries.

While the name Birk has its roots in Old Norse and Old English, it has been adopted and used in various cultures throughout history, reflecting the cultural exchange and migration of people across different regions.

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 Birk was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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