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

Popularity of Brittany by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Brittany is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Brittany being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 309 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Brittany.

The history of the first name Brittany

The given name Brittany originated from the region of Brittany in northwestern France. It derives from the Breton language spoken in that area, stemming from the words "Bro" meaning country and "Iton" meaning little. The name thus translates to "Little Briton" or "One from Little Britain".

In the 5th century, Celtic Britons migrated from Great Britain across the English Channel to the Armorican peninsula, fleeing the Anglo-Saxon invasions of their homeland. They established a settlement known as Brittany, or Little Britain, preserving their language and culture over the centuries. The name Brittany emerged as a regional identifier during this period.

As an ancient name rooted in this historical migration, Brittany has been documented as early as the 9th century in medieval records and literature from Brittany. One of the earliest known bearers was Brittany, Duchess of Brittany, who ruled the region from 1199 to 1201 during the Breton War of Succession.

Over the subsequent centuries, the name spread gradually beyond its regional confines. A notable bearer was Brittany of Hainault (1200-1244), a French noblewoman and Countess of Flanders. Another was Brittany de Berkeley (1285-1347), an English noblewoman from Gloucestershire.

In the 15th century, Joan Brittany (1480-1537) was a French prostitute who became a famous madam in London's Bankside brothels, famed for her wit and audacity. Much later, Brittany de Villiers (1677-1747) was a prominent French playwright and feminist author during the Age of Enlightenment.

While traditionally associated with its regional origins in northwestern France, the name Brittany has gained broader popularity over time, particularly in English-speaking countries like the United States and Britain. Its charming link to the scenic Brittany region and its historic Celtic roots have contributed to its enduring appeal.

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

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

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