What Does the Name Brooklyn Mean?
Brooklyn traces back to the Dutch town of Breukelen, whose name likely meant "broken land" or "marshland," referring to the area's low, wet terrain.
The Origin & History of Brooklyn
Dutch settlers named the New York City borough after their hometown of Breukelen in the 17th century. The place name crossed over into use as a first name in the US in the late 20th century.
Popularity & Modern Use
Brooklyn jumped into wide use after David and Victoria Beckham named their first son Brooklyn in 1999. Despite that famous male namesake, US data shows the name has since been given overwhelmingly to girls.
Personality & Associations
Brooklyn tends to feel urban, confident, and modern, carrying the energy of the New York City neighborhood it's named for.
Famous People Named Brooklyn
Brooklyn Beckham, photographer and chef, is the name's most famous bearer — notably male, even though the name now skews strongly female in the US. Actress and model Brooklyn Decker is a well-known female namesake.
Nicknames & Variations
Brook is an occasional short form. Brooke is a related but separately established name, not simply a spelling variant.