Origin, Meaning, And History Of Bridget
Bridget is the derivative of the Gaelic Brighid, which means ‘the exalted one.’ It is derived from the Celtic noun ‘brigh’ or ‘briganti,’ which means ‘power,’ ‘might,’ or ‘strength.’ Brighid is said to be the name of the Celtic Goddess of fire and poetry. In some myths, it is mentioned that Brighid forged the Excalibur, King Arthur’s legendary sword, in a fire. Later, when Christianity took over Ireland, Brighid was given the position of Baby Christ’s foster mother, who swaddled and nurtured him.
Another Irish myth says that there are three sisters named Brigid. They are the goddesses of poetry, agriculture, and healing. In the 4th and 5th centuries, Saint Brigit of Kildare took over the mantle. She is one of the patron saints of Ireland and the patron saint of scholars and poets. She was known for her generosity, kindness, and compassion. In some stories, she is called “Saint Brigid of the Holy Fire.”
In the Scandinavian countries, the name Bridget caught on due to Saint Bridget of Sweden. She is known for creating the Bridgettine, a holy order of men and women who lived austere lives and served the poor and sick.
Bridget is the English form of the Irish Brighid. Though predominantly Irish and widespread in the British Isles in the 17th century, the name also found popularity in England and Wales. Due to Saint Brigit of Ireland’s purity, this name was not commonly used earlier. However, the name became popular in the 20th and 21st centuries, though it was never in the top 100.
Bridget Jonesis one of the more well-known fictional characters with this name. There are several books and movies based on this character. The American soap opera “The Bold and the Beautiful” had one of its characters namedBridget Forrester.Animated films ‘An American Tail’ as well as ‘The Wild’ have characters namedBridget.
How To Pronounce Bridget?
Famous People With The Name Bridget
- Bridget FondaAmerican actress known for her roles in Godfather III and Point of No Return
- Bridget RileyEnglish painter known for her op art (optical illusion art)
- Bridget ReganAmerican actress known for her roles as Kahlan Amnell in Legend of the Seeker, Rose Solano in Jane the Virgin, and Dottie Underwood in Agent Carter
- Bridget MoynahanAmerican model and actress known for her role as Erin Reagan in Blue Bloods
- 布丽姬特劳Emily Dickinson Award-winner American poet
- Bridget HoffmanAmerican voice actress who has lent her voice to several anime movies
Bridget On The Popularity Chart
Bridget has been declining in popularity over the years, even though it is still one of the more popular names comparatively. In these graphs, we can see how the name has fared in popularity and rank over the years.
Popularity Over Time
The popularity of the name Bridget was the highest in 1982 with 2,008 babies per million being given this name. In the early 90s, the name saw a sudden spike in popularity but from then on, it has been on the downslide. In 2021, 393 babies per million were named Bridget.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
The rank of the name Bridget corresponds to its popularity over time. In 1982, the name ranked at an all-time high of 147. In the later years, its rank steadily fell. Finally, in 2021, its position was 722.
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Bridget
If you like the name Bridget but want more options, here are some names that sound similar.
Popular Sibling Names For Bridget
Other Popular Names Beginning With B
Names With Similar Meaning As Bridget
Bridget has a divine meaning. Here are some names that have similar meaning.
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
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How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
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In Sign Language
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In Braille Alphabet
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In Morse Code
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Name Numerology For Bridget
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Bridget?
The name Bridget means ‘an exalted one.’
2. What is the origin of the name Bridget?
Bridget is of Gaelic origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Bridget?
Bridget is pronounced as brid-get.
4. What are some variants for Bridget?
Some popular variants of Bridget in different languages and cultures include Brigita (Croatian), Gita (Czech),Birgitta, Birgit,Berit(Danish), Brigitte (French),Brighid, Brigid,Brigit(Irish Mythology), Brigida (Italian), and Ffraid (Welsh).
5. What are some middle name options that pair well with Bridget?
