Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Bruce
BoyScottish, French· “from Brix, a place in Normandy”
- Meaning
- from Brix, a place in Normandy
- Origin
- Scottish, French
- Pronunciation
- BROOS
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #536
- US babies 2025
- 558
- Best rank
- #25 (1952)
- Peak year
- 1956
Meaning and origin of Bruce
Bruce is a Scottish and French name that is usually said to mean “from Brix, a place in Normandy”.
Bruce comes from a Scottish surname that traces back to a Norman place, usually identified as Brix in Normandy. The family came to Britain after the Norman Conquest and rose to prominence in Scotland, where Robert the Bruce became king and led the fight for Scottish independence in the fourteenth century. Bruce became a popular given name in the twentieth century, carried by figures such as Bruce Lee and Bruce Springsteen, and by the fictional Bruce Wayne. It feels strong, direct and a little retro, and needs no nickname.
Popularity over time
Bruce has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #25 in 1952, and the most babies received it in 1956, when 14,660 were named Bruce. In 2025, 558 babies were named Bruce, and it ranked #536 nationally. That is 27% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #149 in 1920, #26 in 1950, #157 in 1980, #432 in 2000, #533 in 2010, and #536 in 2025. Of the 386,880 US boys named Bruce since records began, 35% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 74,642 babies. Since 2010, 9,960 more have been named Bruce.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Terry, Randy, Douglas, Keith, and Peter.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Bruce ranked highest in Idaho, Colorado, and Utah.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Bruce is usually pronounced BROOS, with one syllable. It has five letters, starts with B and ends in “-ce”.
Middle names for Bruce
A few middle names that flow with Bruce: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Bruce
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Lists that include Bruce
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Bruce mean?
Bruce is a Scottish and French name that is usually said to mean “from Brix, a place in Normandy”.
What is the origin of the name Bruce?
Bruce has Scottish and French roots. Bruce comes from a Scottish surname that traces back to a Norman place, usually identified as Brix in Normandy.
Is Bruce a popular name?
Yes. Bruce ranked #536 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Bruce a boy or girl name?
Bruce is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Bruce?
Bruce is usually pronounced BROOS. 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