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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Brooks?

37 replies

Rachelhaydenberk1 · 22/03/2019 01:20

I'm not currently expecting a boy but I still have names on the brain. :)

I have a hard time finding boys names I really like. But the name Brooks is growing on me.

I dont like Brooke, as that strikes me a girl's name only, even without the e. And oddly I have a bad association with Brooke as a female name but I feel open to Brooks for a boy for some odd reason.

Brooks seems masculine although the s at the end could be kinda pesky.

Any thoughts? I'm American but I haven't met any children with this name - or anyone. Its ranked around 200 apparently for popularity right now but it's not a name I've heard used.

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Expressedways · 22/03/2019 03:10

I live in the US and I’ve never heard it on a human but I do know 2 dogs called Brooks. Probably not the response you’re looking for either but just sharing my experience since you asked!

Original poster
Rachelhaydenberk1 · 22/03/2019 03:02

Haha fair enough. I'm not actually having a boy right now so it's not as personal. I just like discussing names lately!

I dont like Banks for a girl. That's awful!!

Brooks here in the US wouldn't be too out of the ordinary. Morrison is a little more out there, even here because it's a strong surname. I've never heard of Banks for a boy or girl. Weird. Hilary Duff has another son named Luca, which I like :)

OP posts:
WaterQuarter · 22/03/2019 02:43

Aren't you the person with the Harlow thread? Let me just warn you that you're going to get similarly negative responses for this one too. Grin

When I saw the thread title I thought it sounded very preppy American. Brooks Winthorpe III, that kind of thing. It's not to my taste but if you like it I can't imagine it being a hindrance to him. Hilary Duff recently had a daughter who she named Banks (!), now that to me is a bonkers name. Especially for a girl.

notangelinajolie · 22/03/2019 02:27

Brookes/Morrisons

Just no.

Original poster
Rachelhaydenberk1 · 22/03/2019 02:21

Yes using surnames as first names is really common here. Especially for boys!

I also really like Morrison for a boy - definitely surname!!

OP posts:
Heratnumber7 · 22/03/2019 02:03

Brook is fine. Not to my taste, but a perfectly acceptable name for a boy.

Brooks is just odd. And it's a surname. Though I gather using surnames as first names in America is quite common (as in popular, not chav)

Original poster
Rachelhaydenberk1 · 22/03/2019 01:54

Ahhh I never watch Real Housewives so I wouldn't realize! I do know Brody the reality star which makes me not like that name even though otherwise I'd find it nice!

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Original poster
Rachelhaydenberk1 · 22/03/2019 01:53

There's a lot of commonalities with most names but I guess not the ones I pick ;) yes I'll have to try a more US friendly site for this because I dont want to see 5 million comments on how this is a Planned Parenthood Haha :)

And yes brook here also means stream. It's a nature-inspired name!!

OP posts:
SuchAToDo · 22/03/2019 01:50

Reminds me too much of real housewives of orange county, where brooks was a gold digger hanging around one of the women...

DramaAlpaca · 22/03/2019 01:46

Brooke for a girl is dated, but fine, it's recognised as a name.

The family planning clinics are Brook, not Brooke. Subtle difference.

Brooks for a boy I'm sure wouldn't cause anyone to turn a hair in the US, but would be seen as a bit 'out there' in the UK.

A brook is a small stream in parts of northern England, which is a nice meaning.

OP, I'm just wondering if you might get more helpful responses on a US parenting site? Naming trends are very different this side of the Atlantic as I'm sure you've noticed Grin

Original poster
Rachelhaydenberk1 · 22/03/2019 01:25

Oh wow! It's a girl's name here - Brooke. Not a very common name but I did know one growing up.

I always pick the names that are not acceptable in the UK due to weird place associations! It's kinda getting funny!!

OP posts:
Roscommonet · 22/03/2019 01:23

Brooke is the name of a chain of family planning clinics.