Bridget is an
Irish female name derived from the
Gaelic noun brígh, meaning "power, strength, vigor, virtue".[1] An alternative meaning of the name is "exalted one".[2] Its popularity, especially in Ireland, is largely related to the popularity of
Saint Brigid of Kildare, who was so popular in Ireland she was known as "Mary of the
Gael". This saint took on many of the characteristics of the early Celtic goddess
Brigid, who was the goddess of agriculture and healing and possibly also of poetry and fire. One of her epithets was "Brigid of the Holy Fire".[3] In German and Scandinavian countries, the popularity of the name spread due to
Saint Bridget of Sweden.
In the
Irish language, the name is spelled Bríd or Brighid, pronounced[bʲɾʲiːdʲ]. In the
Scottish Gaelic language, the name is spelled Brìghde, pronounced[ˈpɾʲiːʝtʲə]. At one time the name was so popular for Irish girls that Bridey was used as a slang term for an Irish girl in
English-speaking countries. Some Irish servant girls were called Biddie or Biddy by their employers even if that wasn't their real first name. It has been steadily used in the United States throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, though never among the top 100 most popular names for girls. It was most popular in the 1970s, when it ranked as the 153rd most popular name for girls born in that decade in the United States. It was ranked as the 367th most common name for girls and women in the United States in the 1990 census.[4]
Rosenkrantz, Linda, and Satran, Pamela Redmond (2008). Cool Names for Babies. St. Martin's Griffin.
ISBN978-0-312-37786-1
Todd, Loreto (1998). Celtic Names for Children. Irish American Book Company.
ISBN0-86278-556-1.
Name list
This page or section lists people that share the same
given name. If an
internal link led you here, you may wish to change that link to point directly to the intended article.
Bridget is an
Irish female name derived from the
Gaelic noun brígh, meaning "power, strength, vigor, virtue".[1] An alternative meaning of the name is "exalted one".[2] Its popularity, especially in Ireland, is largely related to the popularity of
Saint Brigid of Kildare, who was so popular in Ireland she was known as "Mary of the
Gael". This saint took on many of the characteristics of the early Celtic goddess
Brigid, who was the goddess of agriculture and healing and possibly also of poetry and fire. One of her epithets was "Brigid of the Holy Fire".[3] In German and Scandinavian countries, the popularity of the name spread due to
Saint Bridget of Sweden.
In the
Irish language, the name is spelled Bríd or Brighid, pronounced[bʲɾʲiːdʲ]. In the
Scottish Gaelic language, the name is spelled Brìghde, pronounced[ˈpɾʲiːʝtʲə]. At one time the name was so popular for Irish girls that Bridey was used as a slang term for an Irish girl in
English-speaking countries. Some Irish servant girls were called Biddie or Biddy by their employers even if that wasn't their real first name. It has been steadily used in the United States throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, though never among the top 100 most popular names for girls. It was most popular in the 1970s, when it ranked as the 153rd most popular name for girls born in that decade in the United States. It was ranked as the 367th most common name for girls and women in the United States in the 1990 census.[4]
Rosenkrantz, Linda, and Satran, Pamela Redmond (2008). Cool Names for Babies. St. Martin's Griffin.
ISBN978-0-312-37786-1
Todd, Loreto (1998). Celtic Names for Children. Irish American Book Company.
ISBN0-86278-556-1.
Name list
This page or section lists people that share the same
given name. If an
internal link led you here, you may wish to change that link to point directly to the intended article.