Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Brooke
GirlEnglish, Old English· “small stream”
- Meaning
- small stream
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- BROOK
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #313
- US babies 2025
- 972
- Best rank
- #43 (2003)
- Peak year
- 1996
Meaning and origin of Brooke
Brooke is an English and Old English name that means “small stream”.
Brooke comes from the English word brook, meaning a small stream, from Old English broc. It first appeared as a surname for someone who lived near a stream, such as the family of the poet Rupert Brooke, before becoming a given name. It rose as a girls' name in the United States in the later twentieth century. The final e gives the name a slightly softer, more feminine look than the plain word. Brooke is simple, fresh and clearly linked to nature, and it pairs easily with longer first names as a middle name or with longer middle names when used first.
Other spellings with the same sound: Brook.
Popularity over time
Brooke first appears in US Social Security records in 1934. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 67 different years, starting in 1953. Its best national rank was #43 in 2003, and the most babies received it in 1996, when 6,724 were named Brooke. In 2025, 972 babies were named Brooke, and it ranked #313 nationally. That is 55% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,251 in 1950, #57 in 1980, #51 in 2000, #73 in 2010, and #313 in 2025. Of the 198,491 US girls named Brooke since records began, 31% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 54,686 babies. Since 2010, 30,441 more have been named Brooke.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Miranda, Sabrina, Mariah, Cheyenne, and Breanna.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Brooke ranked highest in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #101 | 54 |
| New Hampshire | #111 | 11 |
| Connecticut | #123 | 24 |
| Delaware | #146 | 6 |
| Pennsylvania | #173 | 65 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Brooke is usually pronounced BROOK, with one syllable. It has six letters, starts with B and ends in “-ke”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Brook.
Middle names for Brooke
A few middle names that flow with Brooke: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Brooke
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Lists that include Brooke
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Brooke mean?
Brooke is an English and Old English name that means “small stream”.
What is the origin of the name Brooke?
Brooke has English and Old English roots. Brooke comes from the English word brook, meaning a small stream, from Old English broc.
Is Brooke a popular name?
Yes. Brooke ranked #313 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Brooke a boy or girl name?
Brooke is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Brooke?
Brooke is usually pronounced BROOK. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings