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Home › Baby Names Directory › Bristol

Bristol

♂ Boy

Pronounced BRIS-tul /ˈbrɪs.təl/High

Meaning: From the English city Bristol — from the Old English Brycgstow, 'the site of the bridge; a gathering place by the bridge'; used for both sexes; we note the placeLow

In 30 seconds: The site of the bridge: Bristol is an English place-name. Crisp, modern, and warm. Used for both sexes.
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Origin LowEnglish
MeaningFrom the English city Bristol — from the Old English Brycgstow, 'the site of the bridge; a gathering place by the bridge'; used for both sexes; we note the place
U.S. rank (2024)#9083 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births8 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2009
Total births (all-time)≈ 565

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200919152024

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

Bristol comes from the English city Bristol — from the Old English Brycgstow, 'the site of the bridge; a gathering place by the bridge' (we note the place). Used for both sexes, here for a boy (slug distinguished; said 'BRIS-tul').

In the U.S. it appears as a modern place-name. Rare, the-site-of-the-bridge at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Bristol is an English city — 'the site of the bridge' (from the Old English Brycgstow) — a crisp place-name, used for both sexes (we note the place; said 'BRIS-tul').
Overall data confidence 36%
References — Bristol — place-name; unisex

Variations

BristollBristow

Nicknames

Bris

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Bristol…

Bridger— a fellow bridge-linked boys' name
Boston— a sound-neighbor place-name given name
Camden— a companion place-name boys' name
Weston— a kin place/surname boys' name

Explore names like Bristol

By themeenglishunisexplace-name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Bristol mean?

Bristol is an English place-name — 'the site of the bridge' (from Brycgstow); used for both sexes; here for a boy. We note the place.

How do you pronounce Bristol?

It's said BRIS-tul /brs.tl/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Bristol a boy or girl name?

Bristol is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a boy's name.

How popular is Bristol?

Bristol is a very rare boys' name in the U.S.

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