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Brittany

Pronunciation: [ br-IHT-uhn-ee ]

Girl Name #791 Most Popular Steady 3 Syllables

The quintessential 1990s name from a French region

English American French
Classic Vintage Playful Strong Traditional

Meaning & Origin

"from Brittany, land of the Britons"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
"from Britain, British woman"
Origin: Celtic
Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

  • Strongly associated with Millennial generation (peak 1990s); may feel dated to some parents

The Story of Brittany

Brittany comes from the Latin 'Britannia', the Roman name for the Celtic region of northwestern France (Bretagne), which was settled by Britons from the island of Britain in the 5th and 6th centuries. The name was first used as a given name in the United States in the 1970s, inspired by the picturesque French region known for its Celtic heritage, dramatic coastlines, and distinct culture.

Brittany was a massive phenomenon in the United States, rising from obscurity to become the #1 girl's name in 1989-1990. The name dominated through the early 1990s. It's strongly associated with Millennial women. The name has declined significantly since its peak, now feeling more like a generational marker than a fresh choice.

Brittany (Bretagne) in France is a region with a distinct Celtic culture, language (Breton), and traditions. As a given name, it became a distinctly American phenomenon of the 1980s-90s. Britney Spears (with the variant spelling) further cemented the name in pop culture from the late 1990s.

Fun Facts

  • Brittany was the #1 girl's name in the United States in 1989 and 1990
  • The Brittany region of France has its own Celtic language, Breton, spoken by hundreds of thousands
  • Britney Spears (born Britney Jean Spears, 1981) popularized the alternate spelling globally

Brittany in Other Languages

French Bretagne
German Bretagne
Italian Bretagna
Spanish Bretaña

Famous People Named Brittany

B

Brittany Snow

Actor

1986

American actress known for the Pitch Perfect film series

B

Britney Spears

Musician

1981

American pop superstar known as the 'Princess of Pop', with hits like 'Baby One More Time' and 'Toxic'

B

Brittany Murphy

Actor

1977

American actress known for Clueless, 8 Mile, and Uptown Girls

Quick Facts

Gender
Girl
Syllables
3
Popularity Rank
#791
Total SSA Count
355
Cultural Origins
English American French
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease
Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Common Nicknames

Britt Brit

Pairs Well With

Brittany Anne Brittany Lynn Brittany Marie Brittany Dawn Brittany Rose Brittany Nicole

Sibling Names

Also a Boy Name

Brittany is also used as a boy name, ranked #6614.

View Brittany as a boy name →

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Frequently Asked Questions About Brittany

What does the name Brittany mean?
"from Brittany, land of the Britons" (from Latin). "from Britain, British woman" (from Celtic). Brittany comes from the Latin 'Britannia', the Roman name for the Celtic region of northwestern France (Bretagne), which was settled by Britons from the island of Britain in the 5th and 6th centuries. The name was first used as a given name in the United States in the 1970s, inspired by the picturesque French region known for its Celtic heritage, dramatic coastlines, and distinct culture.
What is the origin of the name Brittany?
Brittany has Latin, Celtic, English, American, and French origins. In Latin, it means "from Brittany, land of the Britons". In Celtic, it means "from Britain, British woman".
Is Brittany a boy or girl name?
Brittany is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #791. As a boy name, it is ranked #6614. Brittany is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Brittany?
Brittany is pronounced br-IHT-uhn-ee.
How popular is the name Brittany?
Brittany is currently ranked #791 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Brittany?
Common nicknames for Brittany include Britt and Brit.
What are good middle names for Brittany?
Popular middle name pairings include Brittany Anne, Brittany Lynn, Brittany Marie, Brittany Dawn, Brittany Rose, and Brittany Nicole.
What are good sibling names for Brittany?
Names that pair well with Brittany as siblings include Ashley, Tiffany, Megan, Jordan, Brandon, and Tyler.
How many syllables does Brittany have?
Brittany has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Brittany a common or rare name?
Brittany is moderately common, ranked #791 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Brittany

Brittany is a girl name with English, American, and French origins . The name means "from Brittany, land of the Britons" in Latin .

Is Brittany a boy or girl name? Brittany is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #791 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #6,614. Brittany is more commonly used as a girl name.

Brittany is currently ranked #791 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Brittany has 3 syllables and is pronounced br-IHT-uhn-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Brittany include Britt and Brit. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Brittany include Britney, Brittney, Brithany . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.

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