Brigid
Fact sheet
- Name
- Brigid
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 2
The first name Brigid is the Irish form of Brighid, a Celtic goddess of light, which has its origins in the ancient Celtic goddess Brigantia. The name is directly associated with the meanings 'the Exalted', 'the Divine', and 'the High'.
What does the name Brigid mean?
Brigid is the Irish variant of the name Brighid and refers to a Celtic goddess of light, who is descended from the ancient Celtic goddess Brigantia. The name can be directly translated as 'the Exalted', 'the Divine', and 'the High'. Its roots can be found in Old Irish and Celtic, derived from the Celtic term bríg or briganti, meaning 'high', 'powerful', 'exalted', and 'divine'. The holy Brighid of Kildare lived in the 5th and 6th centuries and is still venerated as the national saint of Ireland. Her prominence led to the name becoming widespread, particularly in England and Ireland. Many Irish and Scottish missionaries brought her cult to Germany in the early Middle Ages, making the name especially popular in western and southern Germany. Other variants include Brigida, Brigide, Brigitte, Brigite, Brigit, Brigitta, Brigitt, and Brigita.
Where does the name Brigid come from?
The name Brigid has its roots in Old Irish and Celtic and means 'the Divine' or 'the Exalted'. The etymology comes from the Celtic expressions bríg and briganti, which mean 'high', 'powerful', 'exalted', and 'divine', as well as brígh, meaning 'Exalted', 'goddess of fire', 'power', 'strength', 'might', and 'virtue'. The language is Irish.
How do you pronounce Brigid?
Brigid is pronounced like 'Brid-shid'.
When is the name day of Brigid?
The name day for Brigid is celebrated on February 1.
Popularity
In Germany, Brigid is a rather rare first name. In 2015, it ranked 4,092nd among the most common female first names. In the last ten years, the name has been given less than 10 times, placing it 9,317th in the ten-year statistics. Between 2010 and 2024, it ranks 11,574th. The global popularity and frequency of the name Brigid is reflected in its rankings in the name charts of various countries.
Famous people
- Brigid Bazlen (American actress)
- Brigid Berlin (American artist)
- Brigid Boden (Irish singer)
- Brigid Brannagh (American actress)
- Brigid Brophy (British writer)
- Brigid Dawson (British musician)
- Brigid Harrington (American actress)
- Brigid Ibell (German painter)
- Brigid Keenan (writer from England)
- Brigid Mary Balfour (biologist from the UK)
- Brigid Pasulka (American writer)
- Brigid Walsh (American actress)
Frequently asked questions about the name Brigid
What does the name Brigid mean?
Brigid is the Irish form of the name Brighid and means 'the Exalted', 'the Divine', or 'the High'. The name has its roots in Celtic culture and refers to a goddess of light.
Where does the name Brigid come from?
The name Brigid has its roots in Old Irish and Celtic. It is derived from the Celtic terms bríg and briganti, which mean 'high', 'powerful', and 'divine'.
How popular is the name Brigid?
Brigid is particularly popular in Ireland and England. The veneration of the holy Brighid of Kildare contributed to the spread of the name, especially in early medieval Germany.