Brooklyn
Meaning of Brooklyn
Brooklyn comes from the New York City borough, named in the 1600s by Dutch colonists after the town of Breukelen in the Netherlands. The Dutch place name is usually linked to a word for marshland, though its exact meaning is uncertain. As a first name, it is also sometimes seen as Brook plus the ending -lyn. It is pronounced BROOK-lin.
Beyond the borough itself, Brooklyn is the title of Colm Tóibín's novel and its 2015 film. Well-known bearers include Brooklyn Beckham, eldest son of David and Victoria Beckham, and actress Brooklyn Decker, known for Grace and Frankie.
In the U.S., Brooklyn climbed from 911th place in 1990 to a peak of 21st in 2011, when 7,178 babies were given the name. It has since fallen back, ranking 118th in 2025 with 2,300 babies.
Pronunciation
American English
- Pronunced as BROOK-lin (/ˈbrʊk.lɪn/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Brooklyn
| Brooklyn Beckham is an English former photographer and model and the eldest child of David and Victoria Beckham. |
| Brooklyn Danielle Decker is a model and actress known for the 2010 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover and roles in Just Go with It, Battleship, What to Expect When You Are Expecting, and Grace and Frankie. |
