Find out how popular the first name Britain has been for the last 48 years (from 1976 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Britain by gender

Based on the last 48 years of data, Britain is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 53% of people named Britain being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 8 female babies and 7 male babies born with the name Britain.

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

The history of the first name Britain

The name Britain is an intriguing one, with its origins rooted in the ancient lands of the British Isles. It has a rich history that spans centuries, though its exact derivation is shrouded in mystery. Some scholars believe it stems from the Proto-Celtic word "Britani," which referred to the inhabitants of the island of Great Britain. Others trace its roots to the Welsh word "Brython," meaning "Briton" or "Brittonic."

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Britain can be found in the writings of Greek historians such as Diodorus Siculus and Strabo, who lived in the 1st century BC. They referred to the island as "Pretannia" or "Brettania," which was likely an adaptation of the native Celtic name. Additionally, the Roman historian Tacitus, writing in the 1st century AD, mentioned the "Britanni" as the inhabitants of the island.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Britain. One of the earliest is Britain ap Rhiwallon, a 10th-century Welsh prince who ruled the kingdom of Gwynedd. Another historic figure is Britain of Armorica, a 5th-century Brittonic leader who established a Brittonic kingdom in what is now Brittany, France.

In more recent times, Britain Woodman (1919-2003) was a British artist and sculptor known for his abstract works. Britain Salise (1878-1949) was an American composer and music educator who contributed to the development of music education in the United States. Britain Covey (1867-1952) was a prominent lawyer and judge in Utah, serving as the Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court from 1923 to 1933.

While the name Britain is not as common today as it once was, it remains a fascinating part of linguistic and cultural history, with its roots deeply intertwined with the ancient peoples and languages of the British Isles.

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

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

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