Find out how popular the first name Brighten has been for the last 24 years (from 2000 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Brighten by gender

Based on the last 24 years of data, Brighten is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 63% of people named Brighten being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Brighten.

The history of the first name Brighten

The given name Brighten is an English name that originated from the Old English word "beorht," which means bright or shining. This name is believed to have first appeared in the 9th century CE, during the Anglo-Saxon period in England.

The name Brighten is derived from the combination of the Old English words "beorht" and "en," which was a common suffix used to form names during that time. The name was initially used as a descriptive name, given to individuals who were perceived as having a bright or radiant personality or appearance.

In the early medieval period, the name Brighten was relatively uncommon, but it gained popularity among English nobility and aristocracy. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a manuscript record of landowners in England, completed in 1086 CE under the orders of William the Conqueror.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Brighten. One of the earliest recorded was Brighten of Worcestershire, a wealthy landowner and nobleman who lived in the 11th century CE. Another notable figure was Brighten the Scribe, a monk and calligrapher who lived in the 13th century CE and was renowned for his exquisite illuminated manuscripts.

In the 14th century, Brighten Chaucer, a distant relative of the famous poet Geoffrey Chaucer, was a respected scholar and theologian at the University of Oxford. During the Renaissance period, Brighten Holbein (1497-1543) was a renowned German artist and printmaker who worked for King Henry VIII of England.

In more recent times, Brighten Stoke (1875-1962) was a British politician and member of Parliament who played a significant role in the formation of the Labour Party in the early 20th century.

While the name Brighten has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, it has endured as a unique and meaningful name, reflecting the qualities of brightness, radiance, and positivity.

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

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

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