Find out how popular the first name Brooks has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Brooks by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Brooks is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 97% of people named Brooks being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 4,469 male babies and 80 female babies born with the name Brooks.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 80 baby girls were named Brooks in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Brooks

The name Brooks has its origins in the Old English word "broc," which means a small stream or brook. This word can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic root "bruk," meaning a body of water. The name Brooks first emerged in England during the Anglo-Saxon period, roughly between the 5th and 11th centuries.

In the early days, the name Brooks was likely used as a descriptive surname for someone who lived near a small stream or brook. It later transitioned into a first name, particularly after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, when the use of surnames became more widespread.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Brooks can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landowners and property in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as a surname in various spellings, such as "Broc," "Brock," and "Broke."

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the first name Brooks. One of the earliest was Brooks Adams (1848-1927), an American historian, political philosopher, and a descendant of the prominent Adams family, which included two U.S. presidents. He was known for his works exploring the influence of economic factors on historical events.

Another prominent figure was Brooks Atkinson (1894-1984), an American theatre critic who worked for the New York Times for over four decades. He was highly influential in shaping public opinion about Broadway productions and is regarded as one of the most respected theatre critics of his time.

In the world of literature, Brooks Robinson (born 1937) was an American author and poet. He is best known for his novel "An Installment of the Grossly Disturbed," which explored themes of mental illness and societal norms.

The name Brooks has also been associated with sports. Brooks Robinson (1937-2022) was a legendary American baseball player who spent his entire 23-year career with the Baltimore Orioles. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983 and is widely considered one of the greatest defensive third basemen in the history of the game.

Another notable figure was Brooks Stevens (1911-1995), an American industrial designer who was widely recognized for his contributions to the design of household appliances, automobiles, and other consumer products. He is credited with coining the term "planned obsolescence" and was a pioneer in the field of industrial design.

While the name Brooks has its roots in Old English and has been used for centuries, it continues to be a popular choice for parents today, reflecting its enduring appeal and connection to the natural world.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Brooks was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Brooks, please contact us.

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