Declining since 1987, #7,491 for girls today.
Popularity of Britta since 1916
Babies named Britta per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 10 |
| 1930s | 11 |
| 1940s | 52 |
| 1950s | 63 |
| 1960s | 296 |
| 1970s | 496 |
| 1980s | 1,014 |
| 1990s | 830 |
| 2000s | 324 |
| 2010s | 421 |
| 2020s | 160 |
Meaning & origin
Britta is a name of Scandinavian and German origin, a diminutive of Birgitta (Bridget). It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1916, but remained rare for decades. Its peak came in 1986, when it ranked higher than any year before or since. Since 1987, however, its use has been steadily falling. In 2025 it ranked 7,491, with about 1 in 114,805 newborn girls receiving the name. The name is most common in Minnesota, reflecting its Scandinavian heritage. Britta has become familiar to American audiences through the character Britta Perry on the sitcom 'Community', which aired from 2009 to 2015. Despite this, the name has not seen a resurgence and remains uncommon.
Britta is a Swedish and German diminutive of Birgitta, itself a form of the Irish name Bridget. Bridget derives from the Gaelic Brighid, meaning 'exalted one' or 'strength', and was the name of a pre-Christian goddess of poetry, healing, and smithcraft. The name was popularized in Scandinavia through Saint Birgitta of Sweden (14th century), founder of the Bridgettine Order. Britta emerged as an independent given name in the 19th century, particularly in Sweden and Germany.
Where Britta is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Britt, Bitta
Sibling names for Britta
Names that share Britta's style, for a brother or sister.
