
Origin, Meaning, And History Of Bruce
Scottish in origin, the name Bruce can be translated as “brushwood,” “thicket,” or “the willow lands” in Gaelic. Due to its association with the illustrious Scottish king Robert the Bruce, it is also associated with power, bravery, and nobility. Legend has it that Robert, the King of Scotland, often known as “the Bruce,” learned the importance of endurance while watching a spider construct a web in the fourteenth century. He also gained Scotland its independence from England and seized the throne. Around 1274, Bruce was used as a Scottish surname preached by Bruce’s ancestor, Robert.
Normans from Brix and Normandy from Manche brought this name into Scotland. Therefore, this surname has been around in Scotland since medieval times. Bruce has a different meaning in Scottish, but in English, it means “thick bush.” The name is commonly used for Christian boys and has various other meanings. Since the 19th century, it has been used as a given name throughout English-speaking regions. The notable French versions of the surname include Lebrix and Le Brix.
Some popular fictional characters include Bruce Wayne, the character from DC comics. He is the secret identity of the famous “The Batman,” the rich and powerful social figure by day and the superhero for all by night in the city of Gotham. On the other hand, Bruce Banner is the alter ego of “The Hulk” that can be seen in the Marvel comics series. Bruce is a scientist who turned into a hulk in the marvel universe and one of the founding members of the Avengers.
How To Pronounce Bruce?
Famous People With The Name Bruce
- Bruce LeeA Hong Kong and American martial artist, actor, director, and philosopher
- Bruce Lorne CampbellAmerican actor and filmmaker best known for his role as Ash Williams in Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead horror franchise.
- Walter Bruce WillisAmerican actor who achieved fame with a leading role on the comedy-drama series Moonlighting
- Bruce Howard KulickAmerican guitarist and a member of the rock band Grand Funk Railroad
- Bruce WeberAmerican fashion photographer and occasional filmmaker
Bruce On The Popularity Chart
The name’s usage has been consistent from the 1980s until 1990, post which it fell drastically. Check out the graphic representation below.
Popularity Over Time
Bruce witnessed a sharp rise in its popularity from the 1980s to the late 1990s. Here is a graph detailing its trajectory over the past few decades.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
Bruce’s ranking saw a sharp rise prior to 2007. Check out this graph to understand how its ranking has changed over time.
Source: Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Bruce
Bruce has been a consistent favorite among new parents. If you like how it sounds but want to explore other names, check out some options here.
Names With Similar Meaning As Bruce
Bruce is a short and simple name with a rich meaning. If you want to explore more such names, have a look below.
Name Numerology For Bruce


