Brown
Meaningbrown · English
- US rank
- #7,679
- Syllables
- 1
- Peak
- #460 in 1881
10 babies were named Brown in the US in 2025.
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US births per million girls, 1983–2025
US births per million boys, 1881–2025
Similar names
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
Did you know?
A few things about Brown you might not know, from US birth records. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
- How commonAbout 1 in every 169,492 baby boys born in the US in 2025 was named Brown, 10 babies in all. In a typical school of 500 kids, your Brown would very likely be the only one.
- HistoryBrown first shows up in US birth records in 1881, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 144 years since.
- Best yearIt was far more popular in 1881, when it ranked #460. Today it's #7,679, so it could be due a comeback.
- MeaningIn English, Brown means “brown”.
About the name Brown
Brown is a boy name of Old English origin meaning “brown”. It has 5 letters and 1 syllable, starting with B and ending in “-own”. US birth records list Brown for boys from 1881 to 2025, in 97 of those 145 years. Its best year was 1881, when it ranked #460 among boy names. In 2025 it ranked #7,679, with 10 babies.
Origin:Old English names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 3.0 | 333,333 girls |
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 77 | 13,015 boys |
| 1890s | 69 | 14,459 boys |
| 1900s | 70 | 14,298 boys |
| 1910s | 52 | 19,117 boys |
| 1920s | 28 | 35,398 boys |
| 1930s | 19 | 53,419 boys |
| 1940s | 11 | 92,336 boys |
| 1950s | 4.6 | 218,341 boys |
| 1960s | 2.6 | 378,788 boys |
| 1970s | 1.3 | 781,250 boys |
| 1980s | 1.6 | 606,061 boys |
| 1990s | 0.3 | 3,448,276 boys |
| 2000s | 0.3 | 2,941,176 boys |
| 2010s | 0.3 | 3,125,000 boys |
| 2020s | 3.0 | 333,333 boys |
More Old English boy names
- Unisex name: Tate · cheerful
- Unisex name: Ashton · ash tree town
- Boy name: Oscar · deer lover
- Unisex name: Lane · narrow path
- Unisex name: Quinn · descendant of Conn
- Unisex name: Morgan · possibly sea circle
- Unisex name: Hollis · dweller by the holly trees
- Unisex name: London · from London, England
Questions about the name Brown
What does the name Brown mean?
Brown means “brown” in English.
What is the origin of the name Brown?
Brown has Old English roots in our records. Other Old English names include Tate, Ashton, Oscar.
Is Brown a boy or girl name?
Brown is a boy name.
How popular is the name Brown?
Brown ranked #7,679 for US boys in 2025, given to 10 babies. Its best year was 1881 (#460).