Declining since 2012, #1,886 for boys today.
Popularity of Brigham since 1916
Babies named Brigham per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 5 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 6 |
| 1960s | 79 |
| 1970s | 185 |
| 1980s | 249 |
| 1990s | 366 |
| 2000s | 864 |
| 2010s | 1,144 |
| 2020s | 468 |
Meaning & origin
Brigham has been in use since at least 1916, when it first appeared in U.S. records. Its popularity peaked in 2011, but it has been gradually declining since 2012. As of 2025, about 1 in 20,579 baby boys receive the name, placing it at rank 1886. The name is most common in Utah, Missouri, and Minnesota, reflecting its strong ties to Mormon heritage through Brigham Young. While still associated with that legacy, it has broadened in use among families seeking distinctive surname-style names.
Brigham is an English surname turned given name, derived from a place name in Cumbria and Yorkshire. The name likely comes from Old English 'brycg' (bridge) and 'ham' (homestead) or 'hamm' (enclosure, meadow). Its use as a first name gained prominence due to Brigham Young, the 19th-century Mormon leader, making it especially common among Latter-day Saint families.
Where Brigham is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Brig, Briggy
Sibling names for Brigham
Names that share Brigham's style, for a brother or sister.
