Broly
A masculine Japanese name with uncertain origin and meaning.
Name Census estimates that about 450 living Americans carry the first name Broly. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Broly today is around 7 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Broly births was 2019 (67 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Broly. 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
450
~ 1 in 761,676 Americans
Peak year
2019
67 babies that year
Average age
7
years old
2024 SSA rank
#3,100
Tracked since 2007
Popularity
Broly: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Broly from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2020s, with 264 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Broly 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 Broly during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Brolys live
The SSA's state-level files cover 5 states and territories. Texas, California, Arizona recorded the most babies named Broly, while Oklahoma, Florida, Arizona recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 17 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Broly
The name Broly originated from the ancient Gallic language spoken by Celtic tribes in what is now modern-day France and parts of Belgium. Derived from the Proto-Celtic root word "brog", meaning "badger", the name was initially used to refer to individuals with a fierce or tenacious personality, akin to the ferocious nature of the badger.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 5th century CE, when a Gallic chieftain named Brolicus was mentioned in the annals of the Frankish chronicler Gregory of Tours. This historical figure was renowned for his bravery and leadership during the turbulent period of the Gallic Wars.
In the 7th century, a Breton monk named Brolion gained recognition for his scholarly contributions and his efforts in preserving ancient Celtic manuscripts. His work played a crucial role in the preservation of Breton literature and culture during the early Middle Ages.
During the 11th century, a knight named Broly de Montfort distinguished himself in the First Crusade, earning a reputation for his valor and skill in battle. His exploits were chronicled in the writings of the Norman historian William of Malmesbury.
In the 14th century, a French poet and troubadour known as Broly de Villars rose to prominence for his lyrical compositions, which celebrated themes of courtly love and chivalry. His works were popular among the nobility of the time and have been preserved in various medieval manuscript collections.
Another notable figure bearing the name Broly was a 16th-century Scottish nobleman, Broly MacDonald, who played a significant role in the Scottish Reformation. As a staunch supporter of the Protestant cause, he was instrumental in the establishment of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland.
Throughout its long history, the name Broly has been associated with individuals who exhibited strength, resilience, and a determined spirit, reflecting the qualities attributed to the badger from which the name originated. Despite its ancient roots, the name continues to be used in various cultures, carrying with it the rich heritage and symbolism of its Celtic origins.
People
Broly + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Broly 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
Broly: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Broly?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 450 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Broly 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 761,676 US residents.
Is Broly a common name?
We classify Broly as "Very Rare". It ranks above 83.6% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 453 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Broly most popular?
The single biggest year for Broly was 2019, when 67 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Broly is about 7 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Broly a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Broly 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.