Bruce
Bruce is a boy's name of Scottish origin.
Meaning
From Brix, Normandy; meaning brushwood or willow thicket town.
Origin and history
Bruce originated as a Norman French surname referring to the town of Brix in Normandy, France. It became a prominent Scottish royal surname before transitioning into a popular given name in the English-speaking world. In the United States, it enjoyed peak popularity during the mid-20th century and remains a familiar classic.
Popularity in the United States
386,880 babies in the United States have been named Bruce since 1880. It ranks #89 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #526.
States where it is most popular
- NY (9.8 %)
- CA (8 %)
- PA (6.4 %)
- IL (5.6 %)
- OH (5.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 499 |
| 1890-1900 | 618 |
| 1900-1910 | 836 |
| 1910-1920 | 5,577 |
| 1920-1930 | 13,179 |
| 1930-1940 | 24,119 |
| 1940-1950 | 72,097 |
| 1950-1960 | 136,457 |
| 1960-1970 | 74,642 |
| 1970-1980 | 21,127 |
| 1980-1990 | 14,333 |
| 1990-2000 | 7,900 |
| 2000-2010 | 5,536 |
| 2010-2019 | 6,638 |
| 2020-2029 | 3,322 |
Famous people named Bruce
- Bruce Springsteen: Singer, Songwriter
- Bruce Lee: Martial Artist, Actor
- Bruce Willis: Actor, Producer
Nicknames
Brucie
Fun facts
- The name gained historic prominence through Robert the Bruce, the famous 14th-century King of Scots.
- Bruce is widely associated with popular fictional alter egos, such as Bruce Wayne (Batman) and Bruce Banner (The Hulk).