A 1960s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Brigitte since 1946
Babies named Brigitte per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1960, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Brigitte's real moment was 1966.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 26 |
| 1950s | 593 |
| 1960s | 2,531 |
| 1970s | 1,317 |
| 1980s | 1,381 |
| 1990s | 1,303 |
| 2000s | 794 |
| 2010s | 860 |
| 2020s | 360 |
Meaning & origin
Brigitte entered U.S. records in 1946 and peaked in popularity in 1966, reflecting the glamour of French cinema. After a long decline, the name has been rising again since 2008, regaining a modest foothold among parents seeking a sophisticated European alternative to Bridget. In 2025, it ranked 2859, with 1 in 27,242 newborn girls receiving the name. Its most popular states have historically been California, New York, and Texas, aligning with areas of higher French cultural influence.
Brigitte is the French and German form of the Irish name Brighid, which derives from the Gaelic brig meaning "exalted" or "strength." The name became widespread in continental Europe through the cult of Saint Brigid of Kildare, a 5th-century Irish abbess. In the 20th century, the name was popularized internationally by actresses like Brigitte Bardot.
Where Brigitte is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Brigitte” around the world
Where Brigitte lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Brigi, Gitte, Bri
Sibling names for Brigitte
Names that share Brigitte's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Colette, Giselle, Simone, Margot, Camille, Anneliese, Avril, Georgette, Ivonne, Josette, Marlene, Monique, Patrice, Ariane, Charise, Korinne, Liane, Linette, Carine, Josseline, Lisett, Minette, Monigue, Carmelle, Dominigue, Ghislaine, Lissete, Sandrine, Yvett, Andrienne, Annick, Maryse
Brothers: Jean-Luc, Pierre, André, Henri, Marcel, Denis, Antione, Jeremie, Werner, Domenique, Frantz, Gerhardt, Yvan, Marquet, Deitrich, Deitrick, Labaron, Reynald, Yvon
