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Birdie
Pronounced BUR-dee /ˈbɜːr.di/High
Meaning: Pet form of Bertha or Bridget, or directly from the English word bird; Bertha derives from Old High German beraht meaning bright or famous; also used independently as a bird nature nameMedium
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Birdie functioned in the Victorian era as both a pet form of Bertha (from Old High German beraht, meaning bright) or of Bridget (from Irish Bríd), and as a term of endearment referencing birds. It was used as a standalone given name for girls in the late 19th and early 20th centuries alongside other bird-related names like Robin, Jay, and Wren.
Birdie peaked in the United States in the late 19th century and had largely disappeared by the mid-20th century. In the 21st century it has been staging a charming revival, fitting perfectly within the aesthetic of adorable Victorian nicknames-as-names, alongside Hattie, Bessie, and Mabel. It is being embraced by parents who love names with vintage charm and a nature-connected sweetness.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Birdie Kim (born 1981)South Korean professional golfer (born Kim Ju-Yun) who won the 2005 U.S. Women's Open Championship at Cherry Hills Country Club in Colorado, holing out from a greenside bunker on the final hole to claim the title in one of the most dramatic finishes in major championship history. A silver medalist at the 1998 Asian Games as an amateur, she joined the LPGA Tour in 2004.
- ★Birdie Amsterdam (1901–1996)American attorney and judge who became the first woman to serve as a justice of the New York State Supreme Court. Born on Manhattan's Lower East Side, she attended New York University School of Law while working full-time and went on to a distinguished career championing equal access to justice in New York City across nearly six decades of public service.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Birdie mean?
Birdie means little bird as a nature name, or bright as a form of Bertha (Old High German beraht). It was used as a Victorian diminutive.
How do you pronounce Birdie?
It is said BUR-dee /ˈbɜːr.di/ — two syllables with stress on the first.
Is Birdie a vintage name?
Yes — Birdie peaked in the late 1800s and is now in a charming revival as parents rediscover Victorian diminutive names.
Is Birdie short for something?
Birdie was traditionally a pet form of Bertha or Bridget, but is now used as a standalone given name in its own right.