Declining since 2012, #118 for girls today.
Popularity of Brooklyn since 1972
Babies named Brooklyn per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 147 |
| 1980s | 898 |
| 1990s | 8,488 |
| 2000s | 36,869 |
| 2010s | 60,337 |
| 2020s | 18,458 |
Meaning & origin
Brooklyn entered the Social Security Administration's records in 1972, and by 2025 it ranked 118th with about 1 in every 699 baby girls receiving the name. Its peak popularity came in 2011, and it has been on a downward trend since 2012. The name is most popular in states like North Dakota, Delaware, and Mississippi. As a place name inspired by the New York City borough, Brooklyn fits the modern trend of using geographic names as given names, a category that also includes Madison and London. Its rise in the 1990s and early 2000s was fueled by celebrity endorsements and a broader taste for unisex, trendy names. While still widely used, Brooklyn's declining trajectory suggests it may continue to fade from the top ranks in coming years.
Brooklyn is a place name taken from the New York City borough, itself named after the Dutch town Breukelen in Utrecht province. The Dutch name Breukelen combines 'broek' (marsh) and 'lēte' (watercourse), meaning 'broken land' or 'marshland'. The name gained popularity as a given name in the 1990s, influenced by celebrity usage and the fashion for place names and unisex names.
Where Brooklyn is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Brooklyn” around the world
Where Brooklyn lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
New Zealand
25
babies in 2025
Quebec
7
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Brooke, Lyn, Brook
Variants: Brooklynn, Brookelyn, Brooklynne
Sibling names for Brooklyn
Names that share Brooklyn's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Madison, Avery, Harper, London, Sydney, Madelyn, Savannah, Dakotah, Egypt, Jazlyn, Jersey, Paris, Berlin, Britain, Jamaica, Joselin, Lainee, Lakelynn, Londynn, Marely, Albany, Amberleigh, Brazil, Cheyenna, Jackelyne, Jamilyn, Jaslin, Jerzee, Kaelee, Kayloni, Khloey, Maddalyn, Alyxis, Anberlin, British, California, England, Jazlynne, Jozelyn, Kaile, Louisiana, Makenze, Mattalyn, Maylyn, Australia, Danilyn, Jaedynn, Makylie, Miami, Rocklyn, Russia, Savanha, Savannaha, Seattle
Brothers: Jackson, Carter, Logan, Dylan, Landon, Jaden, Mason, Jaydin, Jaydon, Kolten, Bronx, Dameon, Harlem, Jaidon, Shayden, Castle, Dresden, Khayden, Montreal, Vegas, Chicago, Thailand, Detroit, Frisco, Johnavon
Names like Brooklyn
Names whose popularity has moved with Brooklyn's over the last 50 years.
