Bergen is a unique and distinctive name of Norwegian origin. It is derived from the Old Norse word "berg," which means "mountain." The name was originally given to people who lived near mountainous regions or had a strong connection with the mountains.
The city of Bergen in Norway is named after this word, and it has become one of the most popular cities in the country. This has helped to increase the popularity of the name Bergen, both in Norway and internationally.
In addition to its Norwegian roots, Bergen has also gained recognition as a popular surname in England and Scotland. However, its use as a given name is still relatively uncommon outside of Scandinavia.
Despite its uncommon usage as a first name, Bergen carries a strong and powerful meaning that is associated with the majesty and strength of mountains. It is a unique choice for parents looking for a distinctive and meaningful name for their child.
The name Bergen has had a fluctuating popularity over the years in the United States, with a total of 395 babies given this name since 1928. The name first appeared on the birth records in 1928 with five births that year. It then saw another peak in 1994 with another five births.
Interestingly, Bergen's popularity started to rise significantly in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In 1999, there were 16 births, and this number increased to 23 in 2000, 24 in 2001, and peaked at 27 in 2003. This trend continued until 2008 with an average of around 20-25 births per year.
However, since then, the popularity of the name Bergen has started to decline. From 2009 onwards, the number of babies named Bergen has been decreasing steadily, reaching a low of seven births in both 2013 and 2017. Despite this downward trend, there was a slight increase in recent years with 14 births in 2020 and 12 births in 2021.
Overall, while Bergen may not be one of the most popular names in the United States, it has maintained a consistent presence on birth records over the past century. Its popularity peaked in the early 2000s but has since declined. However, with recent years showing a slight increase, it will be interesting to see if this trend continues or if Bergen's popularity stabilizes at its current level.