Bridget
Bridget comes from the Old Irish "Bríghid," from "brígh" meaning strength, vigor, or exalted one. In Irish mythology, Brigid was a goddess of fire, poetry, and healing — one of the Tuatha Dé Danann. When Christianity reached Ireland, the goddess was Christianized as Saint Brigid of Kildare, one of Ireland's three patron saints alongside Patrick and Columba. Her feast day, February 1, was originally the pagan festival of Imbolc. The name was so common in Ireland that "Biddy" became a generic term for an Irish woman, sometimes used pejoratively. Irish emigrants carried Bridget to America in the 19th century, and the name had a strong Irish-American identity through the 20th century. Bridget Bardot (born 1934), the French actress, gave the name an entirely different — sophisticated, sexual — charge that complicated the Irish associations. I find Bridget striking because of its consonants: the "br" opening is strong, and the hard "g" in the middle gives it an edge that softer female names lack. Bridget Jones, the heroine of Helen Fielding's novels (1996 onward), gave the name a relatable modern image — a slightly chaotic everywoman. The name is now outside the US top 500 but has too much character to disappear. Bridget is a female name of Irish / Celtic origin that means "Exalted one, strength". Strong, warm, and a little irreverent. The name sounds Irish. Bridgets tend to be direct and funny. US top 200 in 1990s. Now outside top 500. Well-known people named Bridget include Saint Brigid of Kildare, Brigitte Bardot (actress), Bridget Jones (fictional), Bridget Fonda (actress). Common variations and related forms of Bridget include Brigid (Irish), Brigitte (French/German), Biddy (old nickname), Bridie (Irish pet form).