Declining since 2020, #728 for girls today.
Popularity of Bristol since 1973
Babies named Bristol per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 6 |
| 1980s | 84 |
| 1990s | 136 |
| 2000s | 710 |
| 2010s | 6,767 |
| 2020s | 3,340 |
Meaning & origin
Bristol is a place name that first appeared on the U.S. naming charts in 1973, reflecting the modern trend of using geographic names for children. Its peak popularity came in 2019, when it ranked highest, but since 2020 its usage has been falling. As of 2025, Bristol ranks 728th, with approximately 1 in 4,208 newborn girls receiving the name. The name is most popular in West Virginia, followed by iowa and South Carolina. Bristol remains a distinct choice among the wave of place names, offering a connection to the historic English city.
Bristol is a place name taken from the city in southwestern England. The city's name derives from the Old English 'Brycgstow', meaning 'assembly place at the bridge'. It has been used as a given name primarily in the United States, gaining popularity in the 1970s and experiencing a notable rise in the 2000s.
Where Bristol 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bri, Brist, Bris
Sibling names for Bristol
Names that share Bristol's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Bristol
Names whose popularity has moved with Bristol's over the last 50 years.
