On the heels of Deirdre, we have another Irish mythological choice – one we expect to gain modestly in the coming years.
Thanks to Photoquilty for suggesting Bridget as our Name of the Day.
First, we must confess that Photoquilty suggested Brighid. But every way we sliced it, this post ended up being mostly about her Anglicized sister. So here it is – all about Bridget, Brighid, Brigid, Brigit, Bridie, Biddie and so on.
Should you find yourself in Ireland, your Brighid will be the one-syllable BREED or BREEGE. In the US, it’s always a two-syllable name. Just like Kaitlyn eclipsed Caitlin, choose one of the more authentic versions and unfortunately, some will think you’ve opted for a kreeatif reinvention instead.
In the Celtic pantheon, Bridget was big noise – a popular goddess associated with fire, cows, poetry, healing and sacred wells. She’s also credited with great intelligence, so you’ll occasionally find her listed as the counterpart of Athena and Minerva.
The name has three possible sources:
- First, from the words breo and saighit, fiery arrow. Given her dominion over flame, it’s not implausible;
- Second, the noun brígh means strength. It’s a logical and simple source;
- Lastly, while it lacks etymological roots, “exalted one” does match with the goddess’ reputation – and appears to be the favored meaning in most baby name guides.
Apparently, Bridget the goddess merged with the fifth century Saint Brigid of Kildare. Some call her the Irish Mary. Her popularity bridges old traditions and the new faith. While Bridget was considered too sacred to bestow on a daughter for centuries, by the early Renaissance, she was fairly common.
There was a second Saint Bridget – though she was born Birgitta of Sweden. While it seems likely that the fourteenth century saint’s name has different roots, they’re unclear, and the two monikers are effectively merged. Between the Irish and the Swedish figures, it’s little wonder that Bridget translates to virtually every European language and beyond.
In the US, she remains colored emerald green. In nineteenth century American slang, Bridget’s diminutive Biddy meant servant. A similar history hasn’t held back Abigail, but we think you’d best look elsewhere for a nickname.
Bridget is big in pop culture. There’s the flawed-but-lovable Bridget Jones; actresses Bridget Fonda and Bridget Moynahan; and a generation of girls is growing up with the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants’ Bridget “Bee” Vreeland.
We think Bridget’s appeals stems not just from her story, but because she’s one of the -et girls. Call it an antidote to years of ends-in-a choices for our daughters.
Colorful Scarlett ranks #219 (variant Scarlet is #723) and starbaby Violet is right behind at #231. We’re also seeing the rise of Juliet (#516, with Juliette at #595).
At #357, Bridget has fallen from her peak of #112 in 1973. But she hasn’t fallen too far, and we hear her considered more and more often. After all, the -ets are an exclusive club. True there’s Ayelet, Nicolette and Harriet. But after those three, we’re stuck with noun names like Poet and Velvet or that Malibu surfer girl, Gidget. So if Scarlett and Violet continue their trek up the charts, we suspect Bridget will fare well, bolstered by her history of use.
My name is Bridy and while I’ve met other Bridies I’m the only one with a ‘y’ that I’ve come across. I love my name and often get lovely comments on it although I do suffer occasionaly with being called Birdy (not that bad a thing really).
My name is also Bridget and growing up i always thought it was an ugly name because like Emmy Jo said, it is one of the harsher sounding girls names…like gertrude or gretchen. However, i have really grown to love my name, not only because im Irish but because it is different…one of those names that not many people have.
I actually get complimented on my name very often 🙂
My favorite nicknames are Bee and Bridie but most people just call me Bridg.
If i could choose how to spell it i would spell it Brigette because i think it’s prettier that way.
~BRIDG~
my name is Brigette, and i have met anyone else with the same spelling. i have also never heard that servent girls were called Bridget. How interesting!
i’ve been working forever on a novel called The Bridget, which was what they called irish servant girls. All the girls who were really named Bridget tried to change their names — my grandmother changed hers to Bertha because she thought it was more American.
I like Bridget. Can I join the “when I was little it was one of my favorite names” club? It was. I’m not sure what happened. Perhaps I was turned off of this name by all the people who said she was rough and ugly. I sort of put her in a category with Ingrid, Imogen, and Gretchen, and Gertrude… they’re the harsh-sounding girls’ names that I think are quite lovely.
I love the T-enders. Violet is my current favorite; I also love Juliet and Charlotte. Bridget doesn’t rank among my current favorites, but I still like her quite a lot.
I like Bridget and would probably nickname her Bridge. I can’te tell if it’s dated or classic, though. When I was younger it was probably one of my favorites. Theres just something about it. Is it too Irish, though? I mean, I’m a Jew married to a Swede. Can we get away with an Irish name? Bridget is in consideration if there’s ever a daughter in my future.
I like it. I’d honestly love to see it top 50-100 since I don’t want to use it but find it perfectly lovely. I love the Irish pronunciation and would use it if it weren’t an English word. Bridie makes me smile too. All around a nice name, that Bridget!
I quite like it. I don’t like any nicknames for it, just Bridget. I really like the way the spelling Brighid looks, but not the pronunciation Breed or Breej. I like versions in other languages such as Birgitta and Brigitte. I think it’s another familiar, but not too popular name, at least for now.
Bridget is one I didn’t like as a kid but do now. Tastes change in all things! Bridget always reminded me of Gidget (anyone else remember Gidget in reruns?, Sally Field played “Gidget, aka Frances Elizabeth Lawrence) Yeah, I’m old.
Okay, Bridget. I actually prefer Brigit spelling-wise and think Bridie is an adorable nickname, however the full Bridget is spelled. Bee’s okay too, but not as cute (as my head always “sees” B, not BEE). I hope she does get a teensy bit more popular as I do like her sound. I would hate for her to reach top 10 status. Now Harriet, I do like very much indeed. 🙂
When I was little Bridget was one of my favorite names, I used it over and over for dolls (that and Brooke and Anna/Annie, haha). I had no idea about her history, very interesting. I’d never use it now though, not sure why. I sure hope the -et names don’t get TOO popular. My first girl is gonna be Lulette no matter what, and I hope it doesn’t end up sounding common, or -gasp- kreeatif!