Declining since 2016, #1,796 for girls today.
Popularity of Brinlee since 1992
Babies named Brinlee per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 54 |
| 2000s | 509 |
| 2010s | 1,485 |
| 2020s | 802 |
Meaning & origin
Brinlee first appeared on U.S. Social Security records in 1992, reflecting the broader trend of surname-inspired names adapted into feminine given names. It reached its peak rank of 1,796 in 2022, with an estimated incidence of 1 in 14,351 live births for girls that year. The name experienced a steady rise from the 1990s through the early 2000s but has been falling in popularity since 2016. In the 2020s, Brinlee remains most common in Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Missouri, where it saw its highest adoption rates. Its spelling and sound align with modern favorites like Brynlee and Paislee, reflecting a preference for names ending in 'lee'.
Brinlee is a modern American coinage, popularized in the late 20th century as a feminine given name. It likely derives from the surname Brinley, which itself comes from Old English elements. The first element may be 'bryne' (fire) or 'brēmel' (broom, a shrub), combined with 'leah' (clearing, meadow). The name follows a trend of surname-style names ending in '-lee' or '-ley' for girls.
Where Brinlee is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Brin, Lee, Bri
Sibling names for Brinlee
Names that share Brinlee's style, for a brother or sister.
