Find out how popular the first name Brigid has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Brigid by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Brigid is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 66 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Brigid.

The history of the first name Brigid

The name Brigid has its origins in the Celtic languages, particularly Irish. It is derived from the Old Irish word "brig," meaning "exalted" or "high." The name is also associated with the Irish goddess Brigid, the Celtic goddess of fire, poetry, healing, and fertility.

The earliest known historical reference to the name Brigid can be found in the 5th century, when Saint Brigid of Kildare, one of Ireland's patron saints, lived. She was born around 450 AD in County Louth, Ireland, and founded several monasteries, including the famous Kildare Abbey.

In the 6th century, the name Brigid appears in the Book of Leinster, an important medieval Irish manuscript. It records the name of a woman named Brigid ingen Chonmide, who was a poet and scholar.

During the Middle Ages, the name Brigid was popular among Irish nobility and the monastic orders. One notable bearer was Brigid of Sweden, a 14th-century Swedish princess and abbess who was born around 1303 and died in 1373.

In the 16th century, the name Brigid was carried by Brigid Fitzgerald, the second wife of Ireland's famous rebel leader, Gráinne Ní Mháille (Grace O'Malley). Brigid Fitzgerald was born around 1516 and played a significant role in her husband's military campaigns.

Another famous bearer of the name was Brigid of Fiesole, an Irish-born nun who lived in Italy in the 15th century. She was born around 1468 and is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church.

In the 20th century, the name Brigid gained popularity outside of Ireland, particularly in the United States and other English-speaking countries. One notable bearer was American author Brigid Antonia Brophy, who was born in 1929 and wrote several novels and works of literary criticism.

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

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

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