Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Bergen is an Old Norse name meaning 'mountain' or 'cliff', stemming from the word 'berg'. It has evolved through various historical forms and is commonly associated with the Norwegian city of Bergen. The name reflects traits related to nature and strength, with no direct biblical relevance. It gained popularity during the Viking Age and continues to be recognized in modern contexts.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈbɜːrɡən/
Origin
Old Norse
Etymology
The name Bergen is derived from the Old Norse word 'berg', meaning 'mountain' or 'cliff'. It is commonly associated with the city of Bergen in Norway, which is situated among mountains and fjords.
Meaning
Mountain
Language Evolution
Bergin (Old Norse), Berg (Old Norse), Bergen (Modern Norwegian)
Historical Usage
The name Bergen gained popularity in the Viking Age as a place name and has continued to be used as a surname and given name in various cultures.
Variants & Derivatives
Berg, Bergin, Bergmann
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name Bergen is seen as a strong and nature-inspired name, often associated with scenic beauty and outdoor activities.
Famous People
Bergen Evans (American writer and lexicographer), Bergen Hardwick (American actor)
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 48 peak births in 2001
Geographic Spread
Popular across 6 US states, with strongest presence in South Dakota
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 8 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 6773rd of 6773 | 5 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 16616th of 16616 | 5 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 4706th of 24088 | 285 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 8539th of 23106 | 100 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 15428th of 19264 | 12 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 9919th of 27321 | 97 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 6956th of 35406 | 267 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 8733rd of 30306 | 146 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
55.26% 2532nd/4582 |
- | - |
67.40% 5030th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
94.98% 4352nd/4582 |
- | - |
94.43% 7047th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
79.92% 3184th/3984 |
- | - |
100.00% 6276th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in South Dakota across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 6773rd out of 6773 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 16616th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 4706th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 8539th out of 23106 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 15428th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 9919th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 6956th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 8733rd out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.