Find out how popular the first name Brit has been for the last 47 years (from 1974 to 2020) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Brit by gender

Based on the last 47 years of data, Brit is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 74% of people named Brit being male.

For the most recent data in 2020, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Brit.

The history of the first name Brit

The name Brit is an English diminutive form of the name Britton, which was derived from the Celtic word "Brith" meaning "painted" or "painted person." The name originated during the ancient Celtic era in the British Isles, particularly in areas that are now part of England and Wales.

The earliest recorded use of the name Brit can be traced back to the Middle Ages, around the 11th century. During this time, it was primarily used as a nickname or shortened form of the name Britton, which was a surname given to individuals who had descended from or lived in the region of Brittany in modern-day France.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the name Brit was Brit Bachcocht, a Welsh cleric and writer who lived in the 12th century. He is best known for his work titled "The Life of St. Cadog," which chronicled the life of a Welsh saint.

In the 13th century, a man named Brit de Penketh was recorded as a landowner in the county of Lancashire, England. This indicates that the name was not only used in Wales but had also spread to other parts of the British Isles.

During the Renaissance period, a notable figure with the name Brit was Brit Amadas, a French poet and troubadour who lived in the 12th century. His works were widely celebrated and helped to popularize the use of the name among the French nobility.

In the 16th century, a woman named Brit Jones was recorded as living in the town of Carmarthen, Wales. She was known for her skill in embroidery and was commissioned to create various pieces for the local gentry.

Another notable individual with the name Brit was Brit Constable, an English painter and printmaker who lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He was renowned for his landscape paintings and is considered one of the leading figures of the English Romantic movement in art.

While the name Brit has its origins in the Celtic cultures of the British Isles, it has been used throughout history in various parts of Europe and has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including writers, landowners, artists, and members of the clergy.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!