Birgitta

bir-GEE-tah; BEER-gee-tah

Scandinavian variation of Bridget, Gaelic, or feminine form of Birger

"strength or exalted one; help, rescue"

Birgitta Origin and Meaning

The name Birgitta is a girl's name of Scandinavian origin meaning "strength or exalted one; help, rescue".

Not to be confused with the Hungarian and German Brigitta, Birgitta is often considered the classic Scandinavian form of the Irish Bridget, used in Iceland, Denmark, The Netherlands, Sweden, and Finland. In this case, the name would mean "strength" or "exalted one", lending it a solid feel to match its sounds.

The name was notably borne by Saint Birgitta of Sweden, the patron saint of Europe, which may offer an alternative origin for the name. Saint Birgitta's father was called Birger (BIR-yehr or BIR-guhr), a name from Old Norse meaning "rescue, help, save", which may explain the placement of the R.

Famous People Named Birgitta

• Birgitta Birgersdotter birth name of Saint Bridget of Sweden, nun and mystic
• Birgitta Ingeborg Alice Princess of Hohenzollern, sister of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden
• Birgitta Haukdal (Brynjarsdóttir) Icelandic singer
• Birgitta Valberg Swedish actress
• Birgitta Jónsdóttir Icelandic politician
• Birgitta Trotzig Swedish novelist
• Birgitta Stenberg Swedish novelist
• (Märta) Birgitta Karlström Dorph Swedish diplomat
• Birgitta Moran Farmer American portrait painter
• (Eva) Birgitta Ohlsson Swedish politician
• Brechtgien "Birgitta" Durell Swedish industrialist