Brrr! Cool Saint's Names for Cool Weather

     In October, the weather gets cooler and the leaves begin to fall.  This month also has Feast Days for a saint or two beginning with Br.  In fact, there are many saint's names with the friendly, familiar Br.  Some are old favorites, brought to popularity in the 60s and 70s, but many are exciting and could make fresh new choices for contemporary parents looking for a combination of familiar and cool.


Bruno:  St. Bruno was a quiet and eloquent preacher, philosopher and teacher during the 11th Century. His Feast Day is October 6.  Bruno sounds strong, masculine, yet modern and hip.  It also has that cool "o" at the end.  Unfortunately for the girls, I don't think any of the feminine versions of the name translate very well.


Bridget:  St. Bridget of Sweden was a descendant of the royal family in the 14th Century.  She was kind, generous, and pious and her marriage to her husband produced 8 children, at least one of whom was also a saint.  Over the centuries she became one of the most celebrated saints in that part of the world.  Her Feast Day is October 8.  Bridget is also the English version of the beloved St. Brigid of Ireland.  This name is so popular across the globe that there any number of spellings and variations.  This name is simply, yet spunky, and not overly used.  The French Brigitte and the German Brigitta are both lovely.   There's also the unisex Britt, for those parents who are so inclined.  There is also the related name Bedelia, as long as it's not preceded by Amelia.


Brendan:  St. Brendan the Navigator became renowned in Irish history for his voyages across the sea.  St. Brendan was born in the 6th century, when the Catholics in Ireland were sending missionaries across Europe. Most American parents are probably more familiar with the 90s favorite, Brandon.  Brennan is another variation of the name that flows off the tongue.  The female version, Brenda, is a bit outdated, but Brenna is modern, fun, and still feminine.  It's also the name of one of our daughters.


Breccan, Brannock, Brice, and Brogan:  The names of these Celtic Saints would make interesting replacements for the over-popular and unsaintly crop of Celtic-sounding names like Braxton, Braydon, and Logan that modern parents are attracted to.