Bruce Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Bruce Name Meaning

Fact: The name Bruce was promoted by the decendants of king Robert the Bruce from 1274 to 1329.

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A Deep Dive

Bruce Overview

Meaning

From the brushwood thicket, the willowlands

Gender

Boy

Origin

French, Scottish, English

Etymology

Bruce is derived from the place name Brix in Normandy, France, and has been used as a Scottish surname since medieval times. It became a given name in the English-speaking world in the 19th century.

Pronunciation

/bruːs/

Popularity

Bruce is a well-known name in English-speaking countries and has historical significance in Scotland. In the USA, Bruce ranked #541 for boys in 2023.

Syllable

1 syllable

Length

5 letters

Numerology

22 (Influential, Visionary, Powerful)

Name Styles

Classic, Short, Vintage

Associated Traits

Strong, classic, resilient, noble​

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Associated with Robert the Bruce, a 14th-century Scottish hero who led Scotland to independence.

Name Day

January 15th
A Deep Dive

Bruce Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Bryce, Brice, Brock, Brus, Brucie, Brusco, Brucey, Brushton, Brusley, Bruson

Common Nicknames

Bru, Brucie, Bear, Brucey, Brucester, B-Rock, Brucifer, Captain Bruce, Bruce Almighty, Bruskie

Diminutives

Brucie, Brucey, Bru, Brucester, Bru-Man, Brucenado, Brucemaster, Brucey Bear, Brucinator, Breezy Bruce

Famous People

  • Bruce Lee
    (American Martial Artist)
  • Bruce Springsteen
    (American Musician)
  • Bruce Willis
    (American Actor)
  • Bruce Dickinson
    (English Singer)
  • Bruce Dern
    (American Actor)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Bruce Wayne
    ("Batman," Comic Series)
  • Bruce Banner
    ("The Incredible Hulk," Comic Series)
  • Bruce Nolan
    ("Bruce Almighty," Film)

Places

  • Bruce Village
    (Wisconsin, USA)
  • Bruce Town
    (South Dakota, USA)
  • Bruce Town
    (Mississippi, USA)
  • Bruce Community
    (Illinois, USA)
  • Bruce Community
    (Minnesota, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Bruce?

Bruce means “from the brushwood thicket” or “the willowlands,” reflecting a connection to nature and rugged landscapes.

What Is the Origin of The Name Bruce?

The name Bruce has its origins in French, Scottish, and English cultures.

Bruce Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Bruce in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#5382021#5632022#5412023
Top 3 Rankings#251952#261949#261950

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Bruce

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023541
(+22 from 2022)
544
(+18 from 2022)
0.02971
2022563
(-25 from 2021)
526
(-21 from 2021)
0.02808
2021538
(-40 from 2020)
547
(-39 from 2020)
0.02920
2020498
(-27 from 2019)
586
(-38 from 2019)
0.03168
2019471
(+2 from 2018)
624
(+12 from 2018)
0.03247
2018473
(-44 from 2017)
612
(-109 from 2017)
0.03149
2017429
(+10 from 2016)
721
(+20 from 2016)
0.03643
2016439
(-35 from 2015)
701
(-64 from 2015)
0.03461
2015404
(-3 from 2014)
765
(-8 from 2014)
0.03742
2014401
(+17 from 2013)
773
(+64 from 2013)
0.03772
2013418
(+4 from 2012)
709
(+41 from 2012)
0.03509
2012422
(+47 from 2011)
668
(+94 from 2011)
0.03292
2011469
(+64 from 2010)
574
(+89 from 2010)
0.02826
2010533
(-67 from 2009)
485
(-101 from 2009)
0.02361
2009466
(+12 from 2008)
586
(+5 from 2008)
0.02763
2008478
(-39 from 2007)
581
(-55 from 2007)
0.02665
2007439
(+42 from 2006)
636
(+86 from 2006)
0.02871
2006481
(+23 from 2005)
550
(+60 from 2005)
0.02509
2005504
(-31 from 2004)
490
(-42 from 2004)
0.02303
2004473
(+13 from 2003)
532
(+23 from 2003)
0.02517
2003486
(-19 from 2002)
509
(-1 from 2002)
0.02422
2002467
(-43 from 2001)
510
(-69 from 2001)
0.02468
2001424
(+8 from 2000)
579
(+16 from 2000)
0.02799
2000432
(-25 from 1999)
563
(-26 from 1999)
0.02696
1999407
(-24 from 1998)
589
(-63 from 1998)
0.02889
1998383
No change from 1997
652
(+21 from 1997)
0.03216
1997383
(-19 from 1996)
631
(-32 from 1996)
0.03159
1996364
(-2 from 1995)
663
(-2 from 1995)
0.03309
1995362
(-31 from 1994)
665
(-82 from 1994)
0.03306
1994331
(-10 from 1993)
747
(-75 from 1993)
0.03665
1993321
(-30 from 1992)
822
(-100 from 1992)
0.03980
1992291
(-30 from 1991)
922
(-117 from 1991)
0.04392
1991261
(-22 from 1990)
1039
(-131 from 1990)
0.04902
1990239
(-17 from 1989)
1170
(-42 from 1989)
0.05437
1989222
(-17 from 1988)
1212
(-74 from 1988)
0.05782
1988205
(-6 from 1987)
1286
(-18 from 1987)
0.06423
1987199
(-10 from 1986)
1304
(-44 from 1986)
0.06686
1986189
(-6 from 1985)
1348
(-64 from 1985)
0.07015
1985183
(-8 from 1984)
1412
(-48 from 1984)
0.07337
1984175
(+3 from 1983)
1460
(+20 from 1983)
0.07780
1983178
(-9 from 1982)
1440
(-149 from 1982)
0.07727
1982169
(-5 from 1981)
1589
(-46 from 1981)
0.08420
1981164
(-7 from 1980)
1635
(-15 from 1980)
0.08779
1980157
(-5 from 1979)
1650
(-62 from 1979)
0.08896
1979152
(-1 from 1978)
1712
(+12 from 1978)
0.09557
1978151
(-3 from 1977)
1700
No change from 1977
0.09950
1977148
No change from 1976
1700
(+10 from 1976)
0.09945
1976148
(-8 from 1975)
1690
(-99 from 1975)
0.10352
1975140
(-4 from 1974)
1789
(-65 from 1974)
0.11027
1974136
(-2 from 1973)
1854
(-59 from 1973)
0.11372
1973134
(-13 from 1972)
1913
(-401 from 1972)
0.11855
1972121
(-12 from 1971)
2314
(-658 from 1971)
0.13823
1971109
(-15 from 1970)
2972
(-510 from 1970)
0.16349
197094
(-22 from 1969)
3482
(-560 from 1969)
0.18280
196972
(-11 from 1968)
4042
(-444 from 1968)
0.22098
196861
(-6 from 1967)
4486
(-582 from 1967)
0.25267
196755
(-2 from 1966)
5068
(-774 from 1966)
0.28481
196653
(-3 from 1965)
5842
(-484 from 1965)
0.32141
196550
(-4 from 1964)
6326
(-1567 from 1964)
0.33390
196446
(-3 from 1963)
7893
(-1385 from 1963)
0.38939
196343
(-2 from 1962)
9278
(-753 from 1962)
0.44938
196241
(-1 from 1961)
10031
(-675 from 1961)
0.47728
196140
(-1 from 1960)
10706
(-256 from 1960)
0.49634
196039
(-1 from 1959)
10962
(-944 from 1959)
0.50625
195938
(-2 from 1958)
11906
(-572 from 1958)
0.54956
195836
(-2 from 1957)
12478
(-1403 from 1957)
0.57906
195734
(-1 from 1956)
13881
(-782 from 1956)
0.63415
195633
(-1 from 1955)
14663
(+579 from 1955)
0.68320
195532
(-2 from 1954)
14084
(-65 from 1954)
0.67379
195430
(-2 from 1953)
14149
(+103 from 1953)
0.68381
195328
(-3 from 1952)
14046
(-435 from 1952)
0.70152
195225
(+1 from 1951)
14481
(+391 from 1951)
0.73385
195126
No change from 1950
14090
(+1416 from 1950)
0.73705
195026
No change from 1949
12674
(+409 from 1949)
0.69683
194926
(+2 from 1948)
12265
(+1200 from 1948)
0.68063
194828
(+1 from 1947)
11065
(+541 from 1947)
0.62067
194729
(+3 from 1946)
10524
(+2065 from 1946)
0.56654
194632
(+16 from 1945)
8459
(+2844 from 1945)
0.51255
194548
(+3 from 1944)
5615
(+353 from 1944)
0.40942
194451
No change from 1943
5262
(-168 from 1943)
0.37879
194351
(-1 from 1942)
5430
(+45 from 1942)
0.37329
194250
(+1 from 1941)
5385
(+1083 from 1941)
0.38238
194151
(+4 from 1940)
4302
(+513 from 1940)
0.34283
194055
(+9 from 1939)
3789
(+556 from 1939)
0.31943
193964
(+2 from 1938)
3233
(+106 from 1938)
0.28527
193866
(+4 from 1937)
3127
(+318 from 1937)
0.27514
193770
(+3 from 1936)
2809
(+179 from 1936)
0.25685
193673
(+4 from 1935)
2630
(+183 from 1935)
0.24711
193577
(+1 from 1934)
2447
(+46 from 1934)
0.22878
193478
(+13 from 1933)
2401
(+364 from 1933)
0.22610
193391
(+7 from 1932)
2037
(+102 from 1932)
0.19967
193298
(+3 from 1931)
1935
(+148 from 1931)
0.18009
1931101
(+8 from 1930)
1787
(+74 from 1930)
0.16704
1930109
(+3 from 1929)
1713
(+95 from 1929)
0.15166
1929112
No change from 1928
1618
(-10 from 1928)
0.14608
1928112
(+12 from 1927)
1628
(+169 from 1927)
0.14266
1927124
(+3 from 1926)
1459
(+46 from 1926)
0.12557
1926127
(+3 from 1925)
1413
(+59 from 1925)
0.12336
1925130
(+3 from 1924)
1354
(+43 from 1924)
0.11759
1924133
(+2 from 1923)
1311
(+87 from 1923)
0.11214
1923135
(+7 from 1922)
1224
(+118 from 1922)
0.10810
1922142
(+4 from 1921)
1106
(+36 from 1921)
0.09829
1921146
(+3 from 1920)
1070
(+74 from 1920)
0.09403
1920149
(+2 from 1919)
996
(+116 from 1919)
0.09048
1919151
(-5 from 1918)
880
(-108 from 1918)
0.08667
1918146
(+10 from 1917)
988
(+183 from 1917)
0.09422
1917156
(+6 from 1916)
805
(+65 from 1916)
0.08391
1916162
(+9 from 1915)
740
(+77 from 1915)
0.08015
1915171
(-2 from 1914)
663
(+133 from 1914)
0.07526
1914169
(+6 from 1913)
530
(+140 from 1913)
0.07756
1913175
(+3 from 1912)
390
(+62 from 1912)
0.07273
1912178
(+19 from 1911)
328
(+173 from 1911)
0.07265
1911197
(+42 from 1910)
155
(+57 from 1910)
0.06421
1910239
(-54 from 1909)
98
(-23 from 1909)
0.04700
1909185
(+19 from 1908)
121
(+22 from 1908)
0.06841
1908204
(+9 from 1907)
99
(+10 from 1907)
0.05951
1907213
(+11 from 1906)
89
(+12 from 1906)
0.05612
1906224
(-19 from 1905)
77
(-8 from 1905)
0.05345
1905205
(-7 from 1904)
85
(-2 from 1904)
0.05934
1904198
(+22 from 1903)
87
(+20 from 1903)
0.06281
1903220
(+14 from 1902)
67
(+7 from 1902)
0.05181
1902234
(-23 from 1901)
60
(-5 from 1901)
0.04520
1901211
(-1 from 1900)
65
(-21 from 1900)
0.05623
1900210
(-10 from 1899)
86
(+20 from 1899)
0.05305
1899200
(+19 from 1898)
66
(+2 from 1898)
0.05729
1898219
(+3 from 1897)
64
(+6 from 1897)
0.04845
1897222
(-6 from 1896)
58
(-11 from 1896)
0.04756
1896216
(-4 from 1895)
69
(+3 from 1895)
0.05346
1895212
(-1 from 1894)
66
(+3 from 1894)
0.05212
1894211
(+1 from 1893)
63
(-1 from 1893)
0.05044
1893212
(+14 from 1892)
64
(+4 from 1892)
0.05287
1892226
(+1 from 1891)
60
(+10 from 1891)
0.04564
1891227
(-11 from 1890)
50
(-9 from 1890)
0.04576
1890216
(-11 from 1889)
59
(-3 from 1889)
0.04929
1889205
(+57 from 1888)
62
(+17 from 1888)
0.05209
1888262
(-21 from 1887)
45
(+1 from 1887)
0.03464
1887241
(-13 from 1886)
44
(-11 from 1886)
0.04025
1886228
(-15 from 1885)
55
(-1 from 1885)
0.04620
1885213
(+56 from 1884)
56
(+16 from 1884)
0.04830
1884269
(-54 from 1883)
40
(-10 from 1883)
0.03259
1883215
(-22 from 1882)
50
(-16 from 1882)
0.04445
1882193
(+77 from 1881)
66
(+32 from 1881)
0.05408
1881270
(-29 from 1880)
34
(-13 from 1880)
0.03140
1880241
First SSA data recorded
47
First SSA data recorded
0.03970

American States Popularity Rankings for Bruce

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#5792021#5782022#5322023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#4322021#4512022#4182023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#5572021#4252022#6962023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#6202021#4502022#6442023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#5342021#5352022#4782023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#5052021#4552022#10202023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#4712021#5242022#5532023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#4422021#4772022#7832023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#5282021#9282022#4212023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#6222021#5952022#5922023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#6952020#5572021#3922023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#5692021#5612022#7182023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#4382021#5732022#4752023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#4112021#4832022#2662023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#4412021#8212022#7652023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#4712021#5972022#3812023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#4602021#4262022#5712023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#4392021#5162022#7162023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#5052021#4522022#5012023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#5342021#4602022#8112023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#6782021#6102022#7682023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#5842021#4542022#5482023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#6502019#7262021#6482023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#8232021#5122022#5132023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#4372020#5382022#4452023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#7752021#5682022#5702023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#5722019#3642020#4562021

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#3542020#6272021#5092023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1791994#1781995#1841998

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#4342021#4072022#5222023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#4472014#3182015#2942016

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#4682021#3362022#3522023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#3712019#7062020#6352021

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2682013#3332016#2762019

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#4852019#4492020#5532021

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1541989#1571994#2572017

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#951990#1641994#1521996

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#2171995#2291999#2092022

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#5232010#2972011#4122019

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#5982021#7432022#5982023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1711994#1801995#1912012

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#3152020#3162021#3092023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1761980#1701982#1611985

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#2152004#2342011#2482013

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1161986#1111988#1071989

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#2382015#3562017#3752021

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1421999#1522012#1762015

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2442014#2912016#1522017

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#4502020#3392022#4462023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#731972#1121978#881979

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#2182016#2022017#1772020

Popularity Rankings for Bruce in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#751970#851971#951972

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#2721998#2771999#3572007

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#3602013#3612014#3182016

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#3552021#3252022#3882023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#4372021#4722022#4002023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#4142021#4542022#4722023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#5872020#4192021#5392022

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#7362014#5952015#5562016

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#5972019#6562020#7042021

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Bruce a Name for Boys or Girls?

Typically, Bruce is used for boys, providing a sense of strength and history.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Bruce

Bruce in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Bruce Lee (Martial Artist, 1940–1973): A legendary martial artist and film star who revolutionized martial arts and action films.
  • Bruce Springsteen (Musician, 1949): An iconic American singer-songwriter known for his powerful lyrics and energetic performances.
  • Bruce Willis (Actor, 1955): A famous American actor recognized for his roles in blockbuster action films.
  • Bruce Dickinson (Singer, 1958): An English musician and lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden.
  • Bruce Dern (Actor, 1936): An American actor known for his diverse roles in film and television.
  • Bruce Wayne ("Batman," 1939 Comic Series): A billionaire playboy who fights crime as the masked vigilante Batman.
  • Bruce Banner ("The Incredible Hulk," 1962 Comic Series): A scientist who transforms into the Hulk when angered.
  • Bruce Nolan ("Bruce Almighty," 2003 Film): A TV reporter who gains God's powers for a week.
  • Bruce Village (Wisconsin, USA): A village in Rusk County known for its friendly community and beautiful outdoor scenery.
  • Bruce Town (South Dakota, USA): A small town in Brookings County with a rich history and welcoming atmosphere.
  • Bruce Town (Mississippi, USA): A town in Calhoun County known for its close-knit community and Southern hospitality.
  • Bruce Community (Illinois, USA): A rural community in Douglas County, known for its agricultural heritage.
  • Bruce Community (Minnesota, USA): An unincorporated community in Beltrami County, noted for its serene environment and natural beauty.

Similar Names to Bruce

Sibling Names for Bruce