Bruce

Meaning of Bruce

This name comes from a French place name, 'Bruis,' which meant 'from the brushwood thicket' or 'from the thicket.'

Bruce has Scottish roots — browse every Scottish baby name in our catalog.

Popularity of Bruce

Bruce has held fairly steady, sitting around #536 in 2025 after peaking at #401 in 2014.

Notable people named Bruce

• Bruce Springsteen
  Iconic rock musician, 'The Boss'
• Bruce Lee
  Legendary martial artist, actor
• Bruce Willis
  Action movie star, actor
• Bruce Dern
  Veteran actor, Oscar nominee
• Bruce Campbell
  Cult horror actor, producer

More Scottish names

Questions about the name Bruce

What does the name Bruce mean?

Bruce means this name comes from a french place name, 'bruis,' which meant 'from the brushwood thicket' or 'from the thicket.', and it comes from Scottish origins.

Is Bruce a boy's or a girl's name?

Bruce is most commonly used as a boy's name in the United States.

How popular is the name Bruce?

In 2025, Bruce ranked #536 for boys, up from #539 the year before.

When was Bruce most popular?

Bruce peaked at #401 in 2014.