Bridger

A familiar Old English name with steady appeal.

Boy's name| Also girlsOld EnglishRising fast Also a pet name
#785 35in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A surname originating as an occupation.

Bridger is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, an occupational surname meaning "one who lives near or tends a bridge." It evokes the American frontier spirit, most famously through mountain man Jim Bridger, who explored the Rocky Mountain West in the 1800s.

Bridger has climbed steadily in the 2010s as parents gravitated toward rugged, adventure-inspired surnames-as-first-names. It sits comfortably alongside names like Ranger, Forrest, and Hunter in the modern outdoorsy name trend.

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Popularity Over Time

Bridger climbed 250 spots in the last 20 years — from #1035 to #785.

089179268357198020002024

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Bridger
DecadeBirthsTrend
2020s1,611
2010s2,237
2000s1,729
1990s720
1980s153
1970s40

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(49 years, 19742024)
Year-by-year popularity data for the name Bridger
YearBirthsRank
2024319#785
2023348#750
2022348#739
2021357#723
2020239#931
2019242#908
2018229#926
2017221#944
2016263#856
2015198#1023
2014211#986
2013230#905
2012217#936
2011207#958
2010219#919
2009242#867
2008206#968
2007181#1038
2006167#1072
2005168#1011

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Bridger as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Bridger has also been given to 67 girls in the U.S. since 2015.

#9016
Current rank
67
Total births
2022
Peak year
Compare Bridger as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Bridger be used for both boys and girls?
Yes, Bridger is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #785. As a girl's name, it ranks #9016.

Bridger has two lives

Bridger, the baby name
#785boys
6,490 babies
Currently viewing
Bridger, the pet name
#8210pet name
7 pets
View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (19742024) · Methodology