and Brianne (Bryanne) are used as feminine forms, as is BRYONY.
Brice m.
Brice, possibly meaning ‘speckled’, is an old Gaulish name, the name of a 5th-century French saint and bishop of Tours, which is now well used in the USA, often in the form Bryce. The surname which developed from the first name, Bryson, is also found used as a first name.
Bridget f.
Brigit was the ancient Irish goddess of poetry whose name meant ‘strength’. Her name was borne by 5th-century St Brigit of Kildare, the most revered of the Irish female saints. The Irish name also appears in the forms Bri(d)gid and Bride (which reflects the Irish pronunciation of the name, with a long ‘ee’ sound and no ‘g’), with the diminutives Bridie, Biddy, Bree (now sometimes Brea) and the older elaboration Bidelia. Brigidine is a variant chosen by Sinead O’Connor for her child. There is also a Swedish saint Birgitta or Brigitta whose feast day falls on the same day as St Brigit’s, and her name has influenced the most common English form of the name, Bridget. Britt is a pet form of the Swedish name.
Brien see Brian
Brigid, Brigit, Brigitta see Bridget
Brin see Bryn
Brion see Brian
Briony see Bryony
Britt see Bridget
Brittany f.
This French place name began to be used as a name for American girls in the 1960s, for reasons which are unclear. The sound of the name rather than its meaning seems to be important, as it also occurs as Britanee, Britani, Britney (made famous by Britney Spears) and Brittney. In the 1980s a sudden surge in popularity took it to the top of the American name charts and use is growing in the UK.
Bronwen f.
From the Welsh words meaning ‘white breast’. This name has long been popular in Wales where it has strong associations with ancient legend.
Brooke f. and m.
The surname meaning ‘a brook’, used as a first name, made famous by the actress Brooke Shields. The American place name Brooklyn, most famously used in the UK for a boy, Brooklyn Beckham, is more often used for girls in the USA, and is treated as if a blend of Brooke and LYN in forms such as Brooklynne.
Bruce m.
A French surname which came to Britain at the time of the Norman Conquest. Members of the family moved to Scotland where a descendant of one, Robert Bruce, became King of Scots, and was the ancestor of the Stewart or Stuart Kings. Bruce has only been used as a first name since the 19th century, but it proved so popular in Australia in the mid 20th century that it is almost a nickname for an Australian man. Brucie is a pet form.
Bruno m.
This is a German name meaning ‘brown’, probably imported to the UK via the USA where it has been established for longer.
Bryan see Brian
Bryce see Brice
Bryn m.
A Welsh name, originally describing where someone lived, meaning ‘hill’. It can be found as Brin, and Brynmor (‘large hill’) is also used.
Bryony f.
Bryony, or Briony, is the name of the climbing hedgerow plant used as a girl’s name. It is a rather insignificant plant, although it has pretty berries, and the name probably owes its popularity to the fact that it can be used as a female equivalent to BRIAN.
Buddy m.
This word for a friend is occasionally used as a first name, but is usually a nickname. The singer Buddy Holly, for example, was christened Charles.
Buffy see Elizabeth
Bunny see Berenice
Bunty f.
This was a traditional name for a pet lamb, which came into use for girls after 1911, when it was featured in a very successful play called Bunty Pulls the Strings. However, it is used more commonly as a nickname.
Burhan m.
An Arabic name meaning ‘evidence’ or ‘proof’. Burhanuddin means ‘proof of faith’.
Burt see Bert
Byron m.
A name more frequently used in America than Britain, though it honours the English poet Lord Byron (1784–1824). Byron comes from the word ‘byre’, which means a cow-shed or barn. The name may have originally indicated someone who lived near a barn.
C
Caddy see Caroline
Cahal see Carol
Cai see Caius
Caitlin f.
This, like Kathleen, is an Irish form of KATHARINE. It is currently popular in the UK, and it has been one of the most popular names in the USA for some years. The Irish pronounce it with the sound of ‘cat’ but the American pronunciation is reflected in the spelling Katelynn. Forms such as Caitlyn(n), Kaitlyn and Katlin are also found.
Caius, Gaius m.
A Roman first name, meaning ‘rejoice’, which is still used occasionally. The Welsh name Cai, Kai or KAY, well known as the name of Sir Kay, King Arthur’s foster-brother, is derived from this.
Caleb m.
From the Hebrew kalebh, meaning ‘dog’ or ‘intrepid’. It first appeared in England in the 16th century and is now coming back into fashion. It is shortened to Cale and can be spelt with a ‘K’.
Callie f.
Callie or Cally was originally a short form of several names, but is now used as a name in its own right. It is an old pet form of CAROLINE, or it can come from any name beginning Cal-, particularly those containing the Greek element for ‘beautiful’, such as Calliope, ‘beautiful face’, the name of the ancient Greek muse of epic poetry, or Calista, ‘most beautiful’ a name that may become more popular with the success of the actress Calista Flockhart. It is also found spelt Kally or Kalli(e).
Callum m.
Callum comes from the Latin columba, ‘a dove’. When the Irish St Columba went as a missionary to Scotland in the 6th century, he introduced the name there and it became a typically Scottish name, along with MALCOLM, which comes from it. It has recently become increasingly popular in the rest of the UK. It is found spelt Calum and Colum, while the form Colm is particularly popular in Ireland.
Calvin m.
From the surname of the 16th-century French religious reformer Jean Cauvin or Chauvin, which was latinised to Calvinus, and adopted as a first name by Protestants. The surname may mean ‘bald’. It is most commonly found in North America and Scotland, and can be shortened to Cal.
Cameron f. and m.
From
