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Brooklyn
♂ Boy
Pronounced BROOK-lin /ˈbrʊk.lɪn/High
Meaning: broken land, marshlandHigh
In 30 seconds: Brooklyn is a Dutch place name meaning broken land or marshland, the name of New York City's most populous borough. A cool two-syllable name with urban prestige.
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Origin HighDutch
Meaningbroken land, marshland
U.S. rank (2025)#3192 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births37 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2009
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,855
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Brooklyn derives from Dutch Breukelen meaning broken land or marshy ground. The borough was settled by Dutch colonists in the 17th century.
Brooklyn became popular as a given name for both sexes in the early 2000s.
Did you know? Brooklyn Beckham — named by David and Victoria Beckham in 1999 when Victoria was staying in Brooklyn while pregnant — made Brooklyn a celebrity name synonymous with cool.
Overall data confidence 85%
Behind the Name: Brooklyn — name etymology referenceUS Social Security Name Database — U.S. popularity data
Variations
BrooklynnBrooklin
Nicknames
Brook
Famous Bearers
- ★Brooklyn Beckham (1999–present)Eldest son of David and Victoria Beckham; works as a model and photographer.
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Frequently Asked
What does Brooklyn mean?
Brooklyn means broken land, marshland.
How do you pronounce Brooklyn?
Brooklyn is pronounced BROOK-lin (/ˈbrʊk.lɪn/), with 2 syllables.
Is Brooklyn a boy's name?
Yes, Brooklyn is used as a boy's name.
How popular is the name Brooklyn?
Dutch/English place name; broken land meaning well established. Used as boy per spec.