BiHan

Bihan is a Breton word meaning small or little. In the Breton language, bihan functions as an ordinary adjective and appears in a range of phrases describing size or distinction. The term is frequently encountered in Breton toponymy, reflecting a descriptive approach to naming places.

In Brittany, bihan is a common component of place names and may appear as Le Bihan, La Bihan, or simply Bihan within commune areas. As a toponymic element, it often marks a smaller part of a village, neighborhood, or sublocality, distinguishing it from a larger surrounding area. The use illustrates how descriptive terms from the Breton language have been embedded in geographic naming practices across the region.

Beyond geography, bihan is also found as a surname and sometimes as a given name among Breton communities. As a family name, it likely originates from residence in a place called Le Bihan or from a familial association with a locale bearing the name. Its use outside Brittany tends to be limited to individuals with Breton ancestry or connections.

The term’s persistence reflects broader patterns in Brythonic-language toponymy, where size-related descriptors such as small, end, or lower are used to differentiate neighboring settlements. Bihan thus embodies both linguistic heritage and local geographic history within Brittany. See also Breton language; toponymy.