Find out how popular the first name Brighton has been for the last 41 years (from 1983 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Brighton by gender

Based on the last 41 years of data, Brighton is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 59% of people named Brighton being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 85 female babies and 83 male babies born with the name Brighton.

It's also interesting to see that despite Brighton being historically a mostly male name, the most recent data from 2023 shows a shift in the trend, with more female babies being named Brighton.

The history of the first name Brighton

The given name Brighton is derived from the Old English words "bri-" meaning "hill" or "slope" and "tun" meaning "town" or "settlement". It is believed to have originated as a place name in the region that is now southern England, referring to a town situated on a hill or sloping terrain.

The earliest recorded use of the name Brighton as a place name dates back to the Domesday Book, a survey of English lands commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The settlement of Brighton is mentioned in this historical document, indicating that the name was in use by the late 11th century.

While the name Brighton was initially associated with the geographic location, it eventually transitioned into use as a personal name, likely during the Middle Ages or Renaissance period. Some historical figures who bore the given name Brighton include:

1. Brighton de Montfort (c. 1170 - 1240), an English nobleman and crusader who fought in the Fifth Crusade and the Barons' War against King John.

2. Brighton Seymour (1537 - 1611), an English courtier and diplomat who served under Queen Elizabeth I and was a member of the renowned Seymour family.

3. Brighton Fairfax (1607 - 1677), an English-born American colonist and landowner who established the Fairfax family's presence in Virginia.

4. Brighton Hawkins (1728 - 1801), a British naval officer and explorer who participated in several voyages to the Pacific and contributed to the mapping of Australia and New Zealand.

5. Brighton Wyndham (1805 - 1878), a British artist and patron of the arts, known for his landscape paintings and support of the Pre-Raphaelite movement.

While not as widely popular as some other English names, Brighton has maintained a presence throughout history, often associated with individuals of notable lineage or achievements.

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

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

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