Holding steady, #2,284 for boys today.
Popularity of Bruin since 1994
Babies named Bruin per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 31 |
| 2000s | 65 |
| 2010s | 257 |
| 2020s | 320 |
Meaning & origin
Bruin entered the U.S. baby name charts in 1994 and has maintained a low but stable presence. Its peak came in 2021, the same year it achieved its highest rank. As of 2025, the name ranks 2284th, with an incidence of 1 in 28,001 newborn boys. Bruin's trajectory is stable, indicating a small but consistent group of parents drawn to its rugged, nature-themed sound. The name's primary association is with bears, reinforced by literary and folkloric traditions. Top states for Bruin include Florida, suggesting a possible regional preference for this uncommon choice.
Bruin derives from the Dutch word 'bruin' meaning 'brown'. In folklore, Bruin is the name of the bear in the medieval beast epic 'Reynard the Fox'. The name was adopted into English as a poetic term for a bear, and its use as a given name likely reflects this association with the animal.
Where Bruin is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Bruin
Sibling names for Bruin
Names that share Bruin's style, for a brother or sister.
