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Bruce

Boy name · 1,724 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Bruce: 1,724 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 118 births in 1975.

Bruce is a Scottish surname turned given name, tracing its roots to the Norman town of Brix, from which the Bruce family took their name. Its exact meaning remains uncertain, though it may derive from the Celtic for "brushwood" or "willow lands." The name's most famous bearer is Robert the Bruce, the 14th-century King of Scots who secured Scottish independence at the Battle of Bannockburn. In modern times, Bruce has been carried by martial arts legend Bruce Lee and rock icon Bruce Springsteen. Place connections include Bruce County in Ontario, Canada, named after the colonial administrator James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin. A notable variant is the Gaelic form Brus, while the name also features prominently in Scottish clan lore through Clan Bruce.

Boy 52 of 52 years

Peak year
1975118 babies
Latest (2025)
#33310 babies
Total births
1,724since 1974
5-year trend
▼ 24%vs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 1975 · 118
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).