Brooks
Brooks is a boys' name of English origin meaning “one who lives near a brook.” It ranked #64 in the United States in 2025. An English habitational surname referring to someone who lived near a brook or stream.
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how do you pronounce Brooks?
BRUKS
where does the name Brooks come from?
An English surname, in origin describing someone who lived beside a brook or stream. The final s marks it as either a plural or a possessive form of Brook, which is the more common surname.
Transferred to use as a given name in the 20th century, it carries a fresh, outdoorsy character associated with American landscapes and straightforward charm.
how popular is this name?
Brooks has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 143 years since 1880, and fell outside it for 3. It peaked at #64 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #64 |
| 2024 | #67 |
| 2023 | #73 |
| 2022 | #77 |
| 2021 | #78 |
| 2020 | #92 |
| 2019 | #110 |
| 2018 | #161 |
| 2017 | #204 |
| 2016 | #233 |
| 2010 | #401 |
| 2000 | #705 |
| 1990 | #681 |
| 1980 | #497 |
| 1970 | #672 |
| 1960 | #769 |
| 1950 | #893 |
| 1940 | #792 |
| 1930 | #915 |
| 1920 | #744 |
| 1910 | #859 |
| 1900 | #743 |
| 1890 | #739 |
| 1880 | #909 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Brooks fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Brooks
Brooks is chiefly a masculine given name, with occasional feminine use, and more often a surname. Its conversion to a first name is a twentieth-century American development.
who are famous people named Brooks?
- Mel Brooks (filmmaker and comedian)
- Garth Brooks (country singer)
- Brooks Robinson (baseball player)
what are the nicknames and variants of Brooks?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Brooks?
what names go well with Brooks?
Sibling names that share Brooks's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Brooks
What does the name Brooks mean?
Brooks means “one who lives near a brook”.
What is the origin of the name Brooks?
Brooks comes from the English naming tradition. Related forms include Brook and Brookes.
How popular is the name Brooks?
Brooks ranked #64 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2025, at #64, and it has spent 143 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Brooks a boy or girl name?
Brooks is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Brooks?
Brooks is pronounced BRUKS, with 1 syllable.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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