Brockton
A name derived from an Old English word for a brook or stream.
Name Census estimates that about 758 living Americans carry the first name Brockton. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Brockton today is around 25 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Brockton births was 2007 (37 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Brockton. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
758
~ 1 in 452,183 Americans
Peak year
2007
37 babies that year
Average age
25
years old
2023 SSA rank
#11,023
Tracked since 1963
Popularity
Brockton: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Brockton from the 1960s through to the 2020s, spanning 7 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 260 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2000s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Brockton by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Brockton during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Brocktons live
Origin
Meaning and history of Brockton
The name Brockton originates from the Old English language and is believed to have its roots in the Anglo-Saxon period, dating back to the 5th century AD. It is derived from the combination of two words: "broc," meaning a small stream or brook, and "tun," referring to a settlement or village.
This name likely emerged as a place name, describing a settlement near a small stream or brook. As the English language evolved, the name transitioned into a personal name, although its exact origins remain uncertain. Some scholars suggest it may have been initially used as a surname before becoming a given name.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Brockton can be traced back to the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appeared in various spellings, such as "Broctun" and "Brocktune," indicating its prevalence in medieval England.
Throughout history, several notable individuals bore the name Brockton. One of the earliest was Brockton de Cliveley, a prominent English landowner who lived in the 13th century. Another was Brockton de Ferriby, a scholar and clergyman who served as the Archdeacon of Cleveland in the 14th century.
In the 16th century, Brockton Smythe was a renowned English playwright and poet, known for his contributions to the Elizabethan literary scene. His works, although not widely recognized today, were celebrated during his lifetime.
During the American Revolutionary War, Brockton Hawkins served as a lieutenant in the Continental Army and fought alongside George Washington's forces. His bravery and leadership were commended by his fellow soldiers.
In the 19th century, Brockton Fairchild was a prominent industrialist and philanthropist. He founded several successful businesses and donated a significant portion of his wealth to various charitable causes, leaving a lasting impact on his community.
While the name Brockton may not be as common today as it once was, it carries a rich historical legacy and serves as a reminder of the linguistic and cultural influences that have shaped the English language over centuries.
People
Brockton + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Brockton as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with B
Other first names starting with B with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Brockton: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Brockton?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 758 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Brockton going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 452,183 US residents.
Is Brockton a common name?
We classify Brockton as "Very Rare". It ranks above 88.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 774 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Brockton most popular?
The single biggest year for Brockton was 2007, when 37 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Brockton is about 25 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Brockton a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Brockton in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.