Brooke is a feminine given name of English origin. It was initially used as a surname before becoming popular as a given name in the late 20th century. The name Brooke has its roots in Old English and means "small stream" or "brook". This name has been associated with water for centuries, making it a fitting choice for parents looking to honor nature through their child's name.
The earliest known use of the name Brooke as a given name was in the United States during the mid-20th century. However, its popularity has grown significantly since the 1980s and 1990s, with it peaking at number 375 on the Social Security Administration's list of most popular baby girl names in the United States in 2008.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Brooke. One of the earliest was Lady Frances Coke (née Brooke), who lived during the 16th century and was a prominent figure at the court of Queen Elizabeth I. More recently, Brooke Shields is an American actress and model who rose to fame in the late 1970s and has since become a household name.
In literature, the name Brooke appears in several works, most notably in Washington Irving's short story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," where it belongs to the protagonist Ichabod Crane's love interest, Katrina Van Tassel. Additionally, it is also the title of a novel by Tony Hillerman called "The Blessing Way."
Overall, Brooke is a name with deep historical roots and a strong connection to nature. Its meaning as "small stream" or "brook" makes it an appealing choice for parents seeking a name that reflects their appreciation for the natural world.
The name Brooke has had a varied history of popularity in the United States over the past century. In the early years from 1934 to 1957, there were fewer than 80 births per year on average for girls named Brooke. However, starting in 1958, there was a significant increase in popularity, with an average of about 150 births per year.
This trend continued through the 1960s and 1970s, with peaks of over 280 births in 1966 and nearly 400 in 1969. The name Brooke reached its zenith in popularity between 1975 and 1982, during which time there were over a thousand births per year each year for girls named Brooke.
However, after reaching this peak, the popularity of the name began to decline. By the late 1980s, there were fewer than 3,000 births per year for girls named Brooke. This downward trend continued into the early 2000s, with fewer than 6,000 births per year in the decade from 2000 to 2010.
Since then, the popularity of the name Brooke has stabilized at around 1,500 births per year. Despite this decline from its peak, Brooke remains a popular girls' name in the United States. As of 2023, there have been a total of over 196,000 births for girls named Brooke since 1934.