Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Brooklyn

Usage of Brooklyn as a given name is a recent trend. Considered androgynous (although largely used on baby girls), Brooklyn comes from a geographical place name, one of the boroughs of New York City, which Dutch settlers originally named “Breukelen” (meaning “broken land”). When one views a map of New York City and its five boroughs, one can quickly see that “broken land” says it all. Place names as given names have become particularly trendy since the 1990s (other examples currently on the U.S. female naming charts include Madison, Savannah, London – even Kimberly and Brittany are place names transferred into female given names). Brooklyn, however, is one of the most recent of these examples, and one which has taken off in popularity faster than a blink of the eye. Brooklyn is really a North American favorite (popular for baby girls only in Canada and the U.S.). For boys, the name shows up with mild success in England, thanks to the British celebrity couple (the Beckhams) who named their firstborn son Brooklyn in 1999.

All About the Baby Name – Brooklyn

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME BROOKLYN

The number Four personality is marked by stability and discipline. This is the personality that follows the rules and is conservative by nature.  They have an earth-bound energy that prefers to build things methodically on top of firm foundations; they don't cut corners. Fours take their time and don't like to be hurried. But the outcome of their endeavors is likely to result in some strong and useful structure, which makes them great engineers and inventors. Fours are anything but frivolous or controversial. This is a trustworthy, straight-forward personality that embodies dedication and organization. They are the backbone and anchor in their relationships, careers and communities. They are tidy, punctual, and full of integrity. Hard-work comes naturally to a Four and they are immensely reliable. This is the personality you can always count on.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME BROOKLYN

Ironically, one of the most well-known Brooklyn is the eldest son of the celebrity couple David and Victoria Beckham. Truth be told, while Brooklyn is technically considered a “unisex” name, it doesn’t appear on the U.S. popularity charts for males (only 62 baby boys were given the name Brooklyn in 2012 compared to almost 7,000 baby girls). As a choice for daughters, it’s a Top 30 favorite. This is very recent, as the name Brooklyn only entered the charts for girls in 1990 – a mere 20+ years ago. Its advancement into the Top 50 only happened in 2008. Ironically, the states that favor Brooklyn the most for their baby girls are Utah, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi and West Virginia (she’s a Top 10 favorite in these five states). Funny thing: those five states couldn’t be less like Brooklyn, NY! In fact, New York and New Jersey are the ONLY states where Brooklyn is NOT on the Top 100 list. Maybe parents in Brooklyn should consider naming their daughters Boise?

Quick Facts

ON BROOKLYN

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

American

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

28

PRONUNCIATION:

BROOK-lin

SIMPLE MEANING:

Broken land

Characteristics

OF BROOKLYN

Dependable

Solid

Practical

Hard-working

Industrious

Studious

Conservative

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Brooklyn

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME BROOKLYN

Mary Frances or “Francie” as she’s called is the sensitive and imaginative young protagonist in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, the 1943 novel by Betty Smith, which was also made into a movie in 1945. The book traces her coming of age as the daughter of an Irish-American family living in near poverty in Brooklyn in the early 20th century. Their life is hardscrabble, tenuously held together by the mother’s fierce determination to make life better for her children and the father’s dreamy, alcohol-fueled, well-meaning benevolence. Mother is a janitress; Father is an occasional singing waiter. Their daughter, like the tenacious tree that grows and thrives in the cement of the squalid street, is able to rise above all of the obstructions life sets before her. She never becomes bitter or cynical about her plight, rather, she chooses to see the wonder of common, everyday delights, and she perseveres on her path with calm and proud certainty. She observes, she learns, and most importantly, she loves.

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Brooklyn

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME BROOKLYN

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Brooklyn


Popular Songs

ON BROOKLYN

Brooklyn
a song by Steely Dan

Brooklyn Blues
a song by Barry Manilow

Brooklyn Bridge
a song by Frank Sinatra

Brooklyn Roads
a song by Neil Diamond

Brooklyn Zoo
a song by Wu-Tang Clan [explicit]

Brooklyn's Finest
a song by Jay-Z [explicit]

First Snow On Brooklyn
a song by Jethro Tull

No Sleep Till Brooklyn
a song by The Beastie Boys [explicit]

Famous People

NAMED BROOKLYN

Brooklyn Decker (model)
Brooklyn Decker (model)

Children of Famous People

NAMED BROOKLYN

Victoria Beckham; David Beckham;

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME BROOKLYN

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Brooklyn