Brooklyn is a unisex given name of English origin. It means "from the brook", where "brook" refers to a small stream or creek and "lyn" means "from". The name has gained popularity in recent years, particularly for girls, but it can also be used for boys.
The use of Brooklyn as a given name is believed to have started in the late 19th century, with some of the earliest known records dating back to the 1870s. However, it was not widely used until the mid-20th century, when it began to appear more frequently in birth records.
One factor that may have contributed to the increased popularity of Brooklyn as a given name is its association with the borough of Brooklyn in New York City. The borough was founded in 1643 and named after the Dutch town of Breukelen. Over time, the name evolved into "Brooklyn", which has since become synonymous with the vibrant, multicultural neighborhood that it represents.
Another possible reason for the rise in popularity of the name Brooklyn is its use by celebrities and public figures. For example, the musician Beck and his wife Marissa Ribisi named their daughter Brooklyn in 1999, and the actor David Beckham and his wife Victoria (formerly known as Posh Spice) named their son Brooklyn in 1999 as well.
Overall, Brooklyn is a unique and distinctive given name with roots in English place-naming traditions. While its use has waxed and waned over time, it has experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent decades, thanks in part to its association with the borough of Brooklyn and its adoption by high-profile parents. Despite its unisex origins, Brooklyn is currently more commonly used as a girl's name, although it can still be used for boys as well.
The name Brooklyn has seen a significant rise in popularity over the past few decades in the United States. According to the statistics provided, there were only 6 babies named Brooklyn in 1972. However, by 2022, that number had increased to 2850 births, marking a substantial increase of over 4600%.
The popularity of the name Brooklyn began to significantly rise in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 1988, there were 139 babies named Brooklyn, but by 1992, that number had more than tripled to 426 births. This upward trend continued throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s.
In 2005, a total of 4132 babies were named Brooklyn, making it one of the most popular names for girls that year. The name continued to maintain its popularity in subsequent years, with over 6000 births annually between 2010 and 2019.
However, since 2019, there has been a slight decline in the number of babies named Brooklyn. In 2020, there were 4026 births, and by 2022, that number had decreased to 2850 births. Despite this recent decrease, Brooklyn remains a popular name among parents in the United States.
In total, since 1972, there have been over 120309 babies named Brooklyn born in the United States, making it one of the most recognizable and beloved names for girls during this time period.