Bruce: Derived from Scotland and into the Americas

The name Bruce is very interesting for many reasons. In Scotland, the name Bruce is a traditional and common name for babies. This may have something to do with the rich history of the land. In the 14th century Scotland, the name Bruce was made very popular by King Robert (the Bruce). He was known for his patience because of his ability to sit and watch spiders spin webs.  More recently it was the 39th most popular name for boys in Scotland in 2012 and it is now very popular in the United States as well.

What is the meaning of Bruce?

The most well known meaning of Bruce is “thick brush”. The name originally arrived in Scotland by way of the Normans. It’s traditional meaning at that time was “the Willowlands”.

Famous People Called Bruce

There are several entertainers named Bruce, including Bruce Springfield and Bruce Lee. These wildly popular men were strong and prominent figures in their industry; Bruce Springfield being a rock musician and singer and Bruce Lee being a Martial Arts master. Bruce Willis is also a very outstanding actor that is blessed with this popular name. This actor can be seen in the film, “Die Hard”.

Considering the name “Bruce” is such a common name, no wonder it is so popular. We must thank the Scottish for making this title a traditional household name.

Useful Resources

• See our extensive list of Scottish boys names.