Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Bridget
GirlIrish· “exalted one”
- Meaning
- exalted one
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- BRIH-juht
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #724
- US babies 2025
- 385
- Best rank
- #112 (1973)
- Peak year
- 1973
Meaning and origin of Bridget
Bridget is an Irish name that means “exalted one”.
Bridget is the anglicized form of the Irish Brighid, generally explained as "exalted one" and linked to an old Celtic word for "high" or "power". In Irish mythology Brigid is a goddess associated with poetry, healing and smithcraft. Saint Brigid of Kildare, one of the patron saints of Ireland, founded a famous monastery at Kildare, and her feast day marks the beginning of spring in Irish tradition. The name was also borne by Saint Bridget of Sweden, a medieval mystic. It feels warm and traditional. Bridie and Biddy are old nicknames, and Brigitte and Birgit are European forms.
Popularity over time
Bridget has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #112 in 1973, the same year it reached its highest count of 2,763 babies. In 2025, 385 babies were named Bridget, and it ranked #724 nationally. That is 34% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #865 in 1920, #551 in 1950, #153 in 1980, #274 in 2000, #447 in 2010, and #724 in 2025. Of the 92,367 US girls named Bridget since records began, 20% were born in the 1970s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 17,101 babies. Since 2010, 7,728 more have been named Bridget.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Katina, Kristie, Nikki, Catina, and Gretchen.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Bridget ranked highest in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Iowa.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #265 | 22 |
| New Jersey | #392 | 20 |
| Iowa | #399 | 8 |
| Nebraska | #413 | 5 |
| Utah | #446 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Bridget is usually pronounced BRIH-juht, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with B and ends in “-et”.
Middle names for Bridget
A few middle names that flow with Bridget: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Bridget
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Lists that include Bridget
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Bridget mean?
Bridget is an Irish name that means “exalted one”.
What is the origin of the name Bridget?
Bridget has Irish roots. Bridget is the anglicized form of the Irish Brighid, generally explained as "exalted one" and linked to an old Celtic word for "high" or "power".
Is Bridget a popular name?
Yes. Bridget ranked #724 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Bridget a boy or girl name?
Bridget is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Bridget?
Bridget is usually pronounced BRIH-juht. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings