Burke
Burke is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Fortress, borough, or fortified place.
Origin and history
Burke is an English name derived from an Old French surname meaning 'from the fortress or borough'. It originated as a locational surname before coming into use as a given name in the English-speaking world. In the United States, it remains a rare but steadily used traditional choice for boys.
Popularity in the United States
4,118 babies in the United States have been named Burke since 1880. It ranks #1953 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1599.
States where it is most popular
- UT (23.1 %)
- CA (18.7 %)
- TX (15.4 %)
- NE (12 %)
- IL (6.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 12 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 6 |
| 1910-1920 | 153 |
| 1920-1930 | 255 |
| 1930-1940 | 196 |
| 1940-1950 | 219 |
| 1950-1960 | 296 |
| 1960-1970 | 427 |
| 1970-1980 | 433 |
| 1980-1990 | 281 |
| 1990-2000 | 281 |
| 2000-2010 | 594 |
| 2010-2019 | 637 |
| 2020-2029 | 328 |
Famous people named Burke
- Burke Marshall: Lawyer, Civil Rights Official
- Burke Badenhop: Baseball Player
Fun facts
- The surname Burke was brought to Ireland by the Anglo-Normans (de Burgh), where it became one of the most prominent family names.
- It is part of a long-standing English tradition of adapting family surnames as given names.