Declining since 2022, #7,679 for boys today.
Popularity of Brown since 1881
Babies named Brown per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Brown's real moment was 1881.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 74 |
| 1890s | 79 |
| 1900s | 98 |
| 1910s | 320 |
| 1920s | 311 |
| 1930s | 197 |
| 1940s | 153 |
| 1950s | 92 |
| 1960s | 53 |
| 1970s | 20 |
| 1980s | 30 |
| 1990s | 6 |
| 2000s | 7 |
| 2010s | 6 |
| 2020s | 31 |
Meaning & origin
Brown is exceedingly rare as a baby name, ranking 7,679th in 2025, with only about 1 in 170,808 boys receiving the name. Its peak year was 1881, when it was first recorded, but it has never been common. The name has been falling in popularity since 2022, and usage is minimal across the United States, with no states showing significant frequency. As a color surname, Brown carries a straightforward, earthy feel, but as a given name it remains an unconventional choice.
Brown is derived from the Old English word 'brūn', meaning 'brown', used as a descriptive nickname for someone with brown hair, eyes, or complexion. It became a common surname in England, and as a given name it is a modern transfer from the surname, rarely used before the 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Browny
Variants: Browne
Sibling names for Brown
Names that share Brown's style, for a brother or sister.
