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    The first name Brook

    A unisex name from German meaning “swamp”, “marsh”, “wetland”.

    Pronounced /bɹʊk/ 1 syllable Unisex Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    German origin

    Brook means “swamp”, “marsh”, “wetland” in German.

    * As an English surname, from the noun brook. * As a north German surname, from Low German Brook (“swamp, marsh”), related to the above. * As a Dutch surname, Americanized from Broek, from broek, also related to the above. * As a Jewish and German surname, Americanized from Bruck, Bruch (from Bruch (“wetland, marsh”)).

    A form of Brooks, Brooke.

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 5 boys were named Brook, making it the 3,684th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2004, with 46 births (#555).

    02550 1996200020052010201520202025
    GirlsBoys
    903
    babies named Brook, 1996–2025
    #3,684
    rank in 2025
    2004
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Brook with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Brook at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 32 girls born in the United States were named Brook, the 4,373rd most popular girls’ name that year. It was used most in 1980, when 405 were.

    0250500 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    GirlsBoys
    14,021
    babies named Brook since 1880
    #4,373
    rank in 2025
    1980
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Nicknames and spellings

    Other spellings and forms

    Famous people named Brook

    6 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Brook Taylor
      English mathematician (1685–1731)
    • Brook Lee
      American beauty queen, Miss Universe 1997
    • Brook Billings
      American volleyball player, born 1980
    • Brook Kerr
      American actress, born 1973
    • Skylar Grey
      American singer, born 1986
    • Diablo Cody
      American screenwriter and author (born 1978)

    More German unisex names

    All 62 names of German origin

    Questions

    What does the name Brook mean?
    Brook means “swamp”, “marsh”, “wetland” in German.
    What is the origin of the name Brook?
    * As an English surname, from the noun brook. * As a north German surname, from Low German Brook (“swamp, marsh”), related to the above. * As a Dutch surname, Americanized from Broek, from broek, also related to the above. * As a Jewish and German surname, Americanized from Bruck, Bruch (from…
    How popular is the name Brook?
    In 2025, 5 boys born in England and Wales were named Brook, ranking 3,684th. Its peak was 2004, with 46 births.
    Is Brook a boy's or a girl's name?
    Both. Of the 14,021 US babies named Brook since 1880, 76% were girls and 24% boys.
    When was Brook most popular?
    1980 in the United States, when 405 babies were named Brook, its highest rank at 503rd.
    How do you pronounce Brook?
    Brook is /bɹʊk/, one syllable.
    What name is Brook a form of?
    Brook is a form of Brooks and Brooke.
    What are other spellings of Brook?
    Brooke and Brooks.
    Is Brook also a surname?
    Yes. Brook is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.