Bristol Name Meaning

The name Bristol carries with it the meaning of “the place at the bridge”. The bridge in question could be a physical bridge, or a metaphorical one. It could represent a bridge between worlds, cultures, or even time. The name Bristol implies a connection, a link, a passage. And who doesn’t like a name that suggests they are a connector of people and things?

Origins of the Name Bristol

The name Bristol is believed to have originated from the Old English words “brycg” and “stoc,” meaning “the place at the bridge.” It is also said to have roots in the Celtic language, with “bris” meaning “bridge” and “tol” meaning “settlement.” In any case, the name Bristol can be traced back to the ancient city of Bristol in southwestern England, which was founded by the Anglo-Saxons around the 6th century.

The city of Bristol has a rich history and played an important role in the development of trade and industry in England. The port of Bristol was a major center for the transatlantic slave trade in the 18th century and was also a significant shipbuilding and manufacturing center during the Industrial Revolution.

Popularity of the Name Bristol

The name Bristol has seen a spike in popularity in recent years, particularly in the United States. It has been rising up the charts, and in 2020 it was the 587th most popular name for girls.

Bristol as a girl’s name is a modern invention and it is not clear when the name was first used for a female but in the early 2000s it was used by Bristol Palin, the daughter of Sarah Palin, which made a big impact on the name popularity.

Famous Bristols

  • Bristol Palin, daughter of former Alaska Governor and Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin
  • Bristol Myers Squibb, an American pharmaceutical company
  • Bristol Motor Speedway, a NASCAR race track in Tennessee

Final Thoughts on the Name Bristol

Overall, the name Bristol is a unique and lovely choice for a baby girl, with a rich history and a meaningful connection to the city in England. With its recent rise in popularity, it’s a name that is sure to stand out.

Infographic of Bristol name meaning, which is Site of the Bridge
Ask your friends & family about Bristol…

Bristol Name Popularity

How popular is the name Bristol? Here’s everything we know.

Year Rank # Births % Births
1910 0 0%
1911 0 0%
1912 0 0%
1913 0 0%
1914 0 0%
1915 0 0%
1916 0 0%
1917 0 0%
1918 0 0%
1919 0 0%
1920 0 0%
1921 0 0%
1922 0 0%
1923 0 0%
1924 0 0%
1925 0 0%
1926 0 0%
1927 0 0%
1928 0 0%
1929 0 0%
1930 0 0%
1931 0 0%
1932 0 0%
1933 0 0%
1934 0 0%
1935 0 0%
1936 0 0%
1937 0 0%
1938 0 0%
1939 0 0%
1940 0 0%
1941 0 0%
1942 0 0%
1943 0 0%
1944 0 0%
1945 0 0%
1946 0 0%
1947 0 0%
1948 0 0%
1949 0 0%
1950 0 0%
1951 0 0%
1952 0 0%
1953 0 0%
1954 0 0%
1955 0 0%
1956 0 0%
1957 0 0%
1958 0 0%
1959 0 0%
1960 0 0%
1961 0 0%
1962 0 0%
1963 0 0%
1964 0 0%
1965 0 0%
1966 0 0%
1967 0 0%
1968 0 0%
1969 0 0%
1970 0 0%
1971 0 0%
1972 0 0%
1973 0 0%
1974 0 0%
1975 0 0%
1976 0 0%
1977 0 0%
1978 0 0%
1979 0 0%
1980 0 0%
1981 0 0%
1982 0 0%
1983 0 0%
1984 0 0%
1985 3,297 5 0.0003%
1986 0 0%
1987 0 0%
1988 0 0%
1989 0 0%
1990 0 0%
1991 0 0%
1992 0 0%
1993 0 0%
1994 0 0%
1995 0 0%
1996 0 0%
1997 0 0%
1998 0 0%
1999 0 0%
2000 0 0%
2001 0 0%
2002 0 0%
2003 0 0%
2004 0 0%
2005 0 0%
2006 0 0%
2007 0 0%
2008 2,876 13 0.0008%
2009 657 394 0.0264%
2010 552 482 0.0334%
2011 432 680 0.0477%
2012 422 695 0.0488%
2013 411 695 0.0488%
2014 416 721 0.0495%
2015 433 678 0.0466%
2016 508 554 0.0384%
2017 455 623 0.0446%
2018 477 578 0.0421%
2019 372 761 0.0562%
2020 488 574 0.0451%
2021 429 645 0.0528%
2022 509 580 0.044%

Alaska (AK)

Alabama (AL)

Arkansas (AR)

Arizona (AZ)

California (CA)

Colorado (CO)

Florida (FL)

Georgia (GA)

Iowa (IA)

Idaho (ID)

Illinois (IL)

Indiana (IN)

Kansas (KS)

Kentucky (KY)

Louisiana (LA)

Massachusetts (MA)

Maryland (MD)

Maine (ME)

Michigan (MI)

Minnesota (MN)

Missouri (MO)

Mississippi (MS)

Montana (MT)

North Carolina (NC)

North Dakota (ND)

Nebraska (NE)

New Hampshire (NH)

New Jersey (NJ)

New Mexico (NM)

Nevada (NV)

New York (NY)

Ohio (OH)

Oklahoma (OK)

Oregon (OR)

Pennsylvania (PA)

South Carolina (SC)

South Dakota (SD)

Tennessee (TN)

Texas (TX)

Utah (UT)

Virginia (VA)

Vermont (VT)

Washington (WA)

Wisconsin (WI)

West Virginia (WV)

Wyoming (WY)

Data via SSA.gov.



Lists With Bristol

Find inspiration in these baby girl name lists featuring the name Bristol.


Siblings of Bristol

Mamas with kids named Bristol also have kids with these names.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Colt

Young horse

English

4 Comments

  1. We got Bristols name from Bristol race track! My boyfriend is a race fan!

    • Same, Husband races speed way and I read the name on the internet so he didn’t take much convincing when I mentioned the name

  2. It’s original and old fashioned and flows beautifully with her middle name Olivia. We live on Bristol road- I can’t wait for her to grow up and get excited when we turn down “her road” to go home!

  3. We named our daughter after Bristol Bay, Alaska. It’s a “land that’s always been”, and is the last true wild salmon run in the WORLD. To me, that’s raw beauty, just like our daughter.


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