Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Brooklyn
GirlAmerican (modern coinage), Dutch· “from the New York borough”
- Meaning
- from the New York borough
- Origin
- American (modern coinage), Dutch
- Pronunciation
- BRUK-lihn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #118
- US babies 2025
- 2,300
- Best rank
- #21 (2011)
- Peak year
- 2011
Meaning and origin of Brooklyn
Brooklyn is an American (modern coinage) and Dutch name that means “from the New York borough”.
Brooklyn takes its name from the New York City borough, which was named by Dutch settlers after the town of Breukelen in the Netherlands. The Dutch place name is usually connected with marshy or broken land. As a given name it is an American development, part of a wider fashion for place names, and it also echoes older names such as Brooke. It carries a sense of urban energy and creativity. Brooke and Brook are ready-made nicknames, and some families choose it to honor a personal connection to the borough itself.
Popularity over time
Brooklyn first appears in US Social Security records in 1972. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 36 different years, starting in 1990. Its best national rank was #21 in 2011, the same year it reached its highest count of 7,178 babies. In 2025, 2,300 babies were named Brooklyn, and it ranked #118 nationally. That is 64% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,983 in 1980, #177 in 2000, #34 in 2010, and #118 in 2025. Of the 125,197 US girls named Brooklyn since records began, 48% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 36,869 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Zoey, Zoe, Aubrey, Gabriella, and Lily.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Brooklyn ranked highest in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Nevada.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | #49 | 34 |
| South Carolina | #51 | 64 |
| Nevada | #65 | 30 |
| Idaho | #70 | 26 |
| Delaware | #72 | 10 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Brooklyn over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Brooklyn is usually pronounced BRUK-lihn, with two syllables. It has eight letters, starts with B and ends in “-yn”.
Middle names for Brooklyn
A few middle names that flow with Brooklyn: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Brooklyn
Similar names
Jordyn Girl
JAWR-duhn
“to flow down” · American (modern coinage)
#371
Londyn Girl
LUN-din
“from the city of London” · American (modern coinage)
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Brooklynn Girl
BROOK-lin
“from the New York borough” · American (modern coinage)
#488
Kaitlyn Girl
KAYT-lihn
“form of Caitlin, from Catherine” · American (modern coinage)
#802
Ashlyn Girl
ASH-lin
“blend of Ash and Lynn” · American (modern coinage)
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Camryn Girl
KAM-rin
“crooked nose” · Scottish
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Kamryn Unisex
KAM-rihn
“crooked nose; variant of Cameron” · Scottish
#556
Raelyn Girl
RAY-lihn
“blend of Rae and Lynn” · American (modern coinage)
#502
Jazlyn Girl
JAZ-lihn
“blend of Jasmine and -lyn” · American (modern coinage)
#537
Skylar Girl
SKY-lur
“scholar; respelling of Schuyler” · American (modern coinage)
#167
Kaelyn Girl
KAY-lihn
“modern blend of Kae and -lyn” · American (modern coinage)
#1,601
Kalyn Girl
KAY-lin
“modern variant of Kaylin” · American (modern coinage)
#6,217
Lists that include Brooklyn
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Brooklyn mean?
Brooklyn is an American (modern coinage) and Dutch name that means “from the New York borough”.
What is the origin of the name Brooklyn?
Brooklyn has modern American and Dutch roots. Brooklyn takes its name from the New York City borough, which was named by Dutch settlers after the town of Breukelen in the Netherlands.
Is Brooklyn a popular name?
Yes. Brooklyn ranked #118 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Brooklyn a boy or girl name?
Brooklyn is mainly a girl's name. About 99% of US babies named Brooklyn over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Brooklyn?
Brooklyn is usually pronounced BRUK-lihn. 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