Brown Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name 'Brown' has its origins in Old English, derived from 'brun', meaning 'brown' or 'dark'. It evolved through various historical forms and is used as both a surname and a given name. The name is often associated with traits of reliability and earthiness, though it has no biblical relevance. Over the centuries, it gained popularity as a descriptive surname, and today it remains common with various notable bearers.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Brown"
Pronunciation
/braʊn/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name 'Brown' originates from the Old English word 'brun', which means 'brown' or 'dark'. It was originally used as a nickname for someone with brown or dark hair or a dark complexion.
Meaning
brown, dark
Language Evolution
Brun (Old English), Broun (Middle English), Brown (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The surname 'Brown' began to be used in England during the Middle Ages, gaining popularity as a descriptive surname for individuals with brown hair or a darker complexion.
Variants & Derivatives
Broun, Browne, Braun
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, 'Brown' is a common surname and can also be used as a given name. It is often associated with reliability and earthiness.
Famous People
Brownie McGhee (American blues musician), James Brown (American singer), Dave Brown (American cartoonist)
📊 Brown Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Brown Name Visualizations
✨ Brown Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 55 peak births in 1918
Geographic Spread
Popular across 9 US states, with strongest presence in Tennessee
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 8 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Brown" - Complete Guide (1 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Brown". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 1 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Brown" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Brown"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Brown"
"Brown" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1068th of 7545 | 679 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1638th of 6773 | 339 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2642nd of 7552 | 184 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 6085th of 10718 | 41 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 10567th of 16616 | 28 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 22197th of 24088 | 7 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 15145th of 23106 | 27 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 27321st of 27321 | 5 |
Regional Popularity of "Brown" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
33.64% 796th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
62.60% 1473rd/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Brown" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Brown"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Brown" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Brown" in the United States
The name Brown is most popular in Tennessee, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Brown has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Brown' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1068th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1638th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2642nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 6085th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 10567th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 22197th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 15145th out of 23106 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 27321st out of 27321 names. Discover how the name 'Brown' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.