View Message

[Opinions] Spelling help with Irish name
So I posted a few days ago looking for input on Irish names. You all helped so much, I thought I'd come back for help again! I think I've nearly talked hubby into using the name Bridget for this little girl, due in February. For whatever reason, though, he asked how I'd spell it, which I hadn't given much thought to. After doing some research online, I've come up with 2 ways. Which would you prefer? Or, what other way of spelling might you suggest?
First is the normal Bridget spelling, the anglicized form of the Irish name. Second is Brigit, which I have mixed feelings about. Part of me likes that it's not spelled the same way most people see Bridget, but another part of me isn't as sure. According to BTN, both are Irish, but some other websites list Brigit as Scandanavian? Still others say that Brigit is the more accurate spelling for the Celtic goddess, which I like. Some of the other ways of spelling look too French to me (Brigette, etc.) and I would rather not use those.
So, which would you be more inclined to use, Bridget or Brigit? The mn again will be Elizabeth and our last name starts with an M, if it matters any.
Thanks for any input you have! :)
Archived Thread - replies disabled
vote up1

Replies

I like Bridget and I believe it to be Irish (It's my daughter's name). Here are some other spellings:
Brighid or Brigid (St Brigid of Kildare patroness of Ireland)
Brigit BREE-gheet I believe this is Gaelic
There is also St Brigitta of Sweden (brih-ZHEE-tah)
vote up1
I like Bridgette.
vote up1
Thanks everyone! I've already "doomed" my first daughter to forever spelling her name (It's Kaelyn from the Irish name Caoilainn- and she is always asked "Caitlin?" :) ) so I'm not too disturbed by this child always having to spell Brigit. But, I still have mixed feelings about it. While I know that the more "authentic" Irish spellings are Brighid and such, those are also prn. more like "breed" than the "brij-it" that we want. I guess I'll have to see what hubby's input is and we'll go from there. But thanks again for your input- even if I'm just as split (if not more!) than I was before! :)
vote up1
How about Brigid? It's kind of a compromise between all three, but still pronounced BRIJ-it. :)Image hosted by Photobucket.com
vote up1
IS IT?! I thought Brigid was still pronounced "breed", and thus had kind of axed it. We definitely want the Brij-it sound, but with a more non-traditional spelling than Bridget. If Brigid fits that mold, we may very well have a winner!
Thanks, Aiver- you've been fantastic! :)
(PS- Are you Irish or live in Ireland, too? That's even more of a plus if it's first-hand knowledge. Hehe..)
vote up1
I'm Irish and live in Ireland. :) Brigid is definitely pronounced like Bridget. Only Brighid and Brid are pronounced like 'breed'.Glad to help!Image hosted by Photobucket.com
vote up1
Birgit, not Brigit, is the Scandinavian formBirgitta is the Swedish form, Birgitte the Danish form, and Birgit a shorter formI think Bridget will be easier on your daughter, since this is the most common spelling. If you want authentic Irish, I think it should be Brighid."You sought a flower and found a fruit. You sought a spring and found a sea. You sought a woman and found a soul. You are disappointed."
"It does not become me to make myself smaller than I am." (Edith Södergran 1891-1923)
vote up1
I like Bridget best, although sometimes it reminds me of Gidget.
vote up1
Bridget Elizabeth M
Brigit Elizabeth M
Both spellings are fine and both look good with Elizabeth,
Try an experiment asked people you know to write the name down and see how they all spell it,
I personally would go for Bridget because though I have known people with both spellings I just like the look of Bridget slightly more
Brigit though nice looks sort of unfinished to my eyes
A childs smile is worth more to me than Gold

This message was edited 9/20/2005, 5:41 AM

vote up1
Lovely name & combo! I prefer Bridget, it just looks right to me, but I am English. Also I always thought that Brighid was the most acurate to the celtic goddess?Good luck.~ ☼ ~ Evy ~ ☼ ~
vote up1
I like Bridget the best. :)
vote up1
I prefer Bridget. It's more straightforward, imo, and less likely to be misspelled, perhaps. Brigit also makes me assume it's pronounced bri-JEET, which I don't care for. GL!Also, just be aware that her initials will be B.M. (i.e. bowel movement). Not a huge deal, just something to be aware of. :b
~Heather~
vote up1
I would personally pick Bridget of the two that you have listed. I like the name, but my preferred spelling is Bridgette or Brigette. I know you don't want to use those though, so my vote goes to Bridget.

~*~Jennifer Nicole~*~
Ariella Michelle Rene, Janna Cristina Rose, Zoe Melina Laine
Conner Luis, Grant William, Jude Hamilton
vote up1
I'd use Bridget. Brigit, although it's a legitimate spelling, *looks* misspelled, and people will be forever getting it wrong. If you want an "authentic" spelling you need to go for Brigid or Brighid.It's Birgit that's the similar Scandinavian form.Bridget Elizabeth is a fine name.:-)
ChrisellAll we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.

vote up1
I kind of like Brigit a little bit better, which actually surprises me. I can't say why really, and it's a close call. They're both really cute. I suppose that doesn't help at all! Sorry. :)
vote up1
That looks to me like purely a matter of taste. I think people might (in the US anyway) be more inclined to spell it Bridget without asking the spelling, so it might be less distracting to use that spelling. But Brigit is just as English-speaking a spelling, I think, and most everyone has seen it. So it's not like that is a big issue. (Even Brigid is quite workable imo)I think you should go with whatever you think is more attractive. Personally, I'd pick Bridget because it is just a little more familiar to me, and I'd be more comfy calling my own daughter that.- chazda
vote up1
I like Bridget
vote up1