A female name. the English form of the Irish Brighid or Bridgid, which is from Celtic brigh ‘strength’. Brighid was the name of a Celtic fire goddess, and many of her attributes were incorporated in the legends which gathered round the name of the historical St Brighid (453-523). The cult of St Brighid was very popular in England as well as in Ireland. In English she was usually called Bride or Bryde, which represents the Irish Brighde, the gen case of Brighid; thus a 14th-C Legendary has seinte Bride; English Register of Godstow Nunnery, c. 1450 (E.E.T.S. 129-30) 1450 gives Bryde as the English of Brigida (cf. also Bridewell in London). The earliest occurrence which has been noted in England as a christian name is in the 16th C (Brigitte), and it does not seem to have come into common use in Ireland until the 17th or 18th C. St Bridgid was known as ‘the Mary of the Gaelic’, and it is possible that her name, like that of the Blessed Virgin, was considered too sacred for ordinary use. It is significant that Mary came into general use in Ireland at about the same time as Bridgid. They are now and have long been the two commonest, names in that country The common pet-form Biddy displays the same process of formation as Fanny from Frances, Kit and Kester from Christopher. The name of the Swedish St Brigitte or Birgitte (1303-73), which is usually translated Bridget in English, was probably an independent Swedish name. It is through her that Brigitte has a certain currency in German and French.

Occasionally BRIDGIT, BRIGID or BRIGIT. (Originally and properly Brig hid.) literally, ‘strength’ in Celtic. It is, of all ‘Christians’, the most frequently given in Ireland: this popularity results directly from the fame of the late C5-early 6 virgin saint, who, the ‘Mary of Ireland’, was born of Christian parents at Fouchard in Louth. ‘From her infancy Bride gave signs of the sanctity to which God’s grace was leading her... She founded the monastery of Kildare, the first Religious House of women in Ireland. Wonderful were the miracles she wrought, and equally marvellous her influence for good over the nascent Church of her country... Her remains were enshrined with those of St. Patrick, as... of the Second Patron Saint of Ireland... The Protectress of those engaged in dairy work’ (Benedictines). See also Biddy.

Mr. Arthur derives this female name from Gaelic brighid, fiery dart, and he says the Gaelic word signifies also a hostage; Armstrong renders brighide ‘a hostage.’ The name is found written Brighid, Brigida Brigide, Brigitta, Brigitte, Bride; and (in Ménage) Birgitta and Britta. It probably means strength or defence, from the Anglo Saxon burh, a place of defence, whether strong by nature or fortified by art (beorgan, to defend, keep safe, fortify, strengthen).

(brygge) Teutonic (feminine) - Bridge, fig. of succour.

A Celtic name, meaning: Strong one.