Bitterne

Bitterne is an eastern suburb and Electoral Ward of Southampton, England.

Bitterne derives its name not from the similarly named bird, the Bittern (as some believe) but from the bend in the River Itchen; the Old English words byht and ærn together mean "house near a bend", most likely a reference to Bitterne Manor House. A reference from the late 11th century spells the name Byterne.

Bitterne Ward comprises the suburbs of Bitterne and Thornhill, and had a population of 14,384 as of the 2001 Census. The ward borders Sholing Ward and Harefield Ward to the west and north.