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Baby names

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

Original poster

Is Bruce due a comeback?

57 replies

OopsOutnumbered123 · 19/12/2023 11:37

I’m pregnant with my second son and we quite like Bruce as a first name, however it gets a very mixed response off our families when we discuss it. Is it due a comeback do you think? Or are pregnancy hormones disrupting my thinking 🤔😅

OP posts:
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Xiaoxiong · 19/12/2023 11:44

Rule #1: Never discuss names in real life!! Only on anonymous forums. There's always someone to shoot down even the loveliest name. When there's a real life adorable baby attached to the name no one will ever say they don't like it.

I like the name Bruce and I associate it with strong active men (Bruce Wayne! Bruce Lee! Bruce Willis!) and Brucie is a cute nickname if you do nicknames - so if you and your DH agree on it, go for it!

(I do start to sing the song Bruce from Matilda when I hear the name Bruce but that's probably because we've been listening to the soundtrack in the car - and Bruce is a legend in that too!!)

Cheeesus · 19/12/2023 11:46

I think not yet. It’ s generation away still. It’s generally the generation that are dying that we start using their names of?

Brandyginger · 19/12/2023 11:46

Listen to the lyrics of the song “Bruce” by Rubicon 😂

return2sender · 19/12/2023 11:49

I actually love it and had it on our list but DH said no.

LubaLuca · 19/12/2023 11:50

I think not. It was never very popular, so it's unlikely to make a 'comeback'.

But if you like it, its popularity shouldn't come into it. My name isn't commonly used, but I'm happy with it.

CheesePleaseLoueese · 19/12/2023 11:56

We considered Bruce. It was on our shortlist.

I don't know if it's due a comeback but I think it's a fairly classic boy's name - and one which should age well as a young boy grows.

SnowsFalling · 19/12/2023 12:04

It's not due a comeback, as it was never widely popular.
But if you love it, go for it.

BigBouncyBaubles · 19/12/2023 12:05

It may well do. It's a very manly name so I think would be quite sweet on a little squishy baby.

I know a few middle aged Scottish Bruces and it would be a classic name here so I can see it having a resurgence. I suppose somewhere like Australia it might have a naffer image.

itsmyp4rty · 19/12/2023 12:19

All I can think when I hear the name is 'G'day Bruce'. I just looked it up and apparently it's a drinking game, maybe I played it at uni.

megletthesecond · 19/12/2023 12:39

Yes. I think it would work really well these days.

LambriniBobinIsleworth · 19/12/2023 12:41

Something normal. or... something.

MrsSlocombesCat · 19/12/2023 12:41

I think if was ever going to make a comeback it would have been when Bruce Forsyth died. When I was pregnant with my second child 42 years ago my ex husband wanted to call him Bruce. I decided on Callum which was quite unusual at the time, not so much now!

TheNameIsDickDarlington · 19/12/2023 12:42

I actually really like Bruce as a baby name. I feel like it's due a comeback. Go for it OP!

x88mph · 19/12/2023 13:17

I love the name Bruce. It was a strong contender for me but unfortunately sounds ridiculous with our surname. I'd love to meet a little Bruce.

wayneismylife · 19/12/2023 13:20

Aww I once worked in a baby room with a little Bruce. I remember thinking at the time that it was an unusual name for a baby, but he was just the loveliest little character. I think fondly of that name now. I vote yes.

Bernieee · 19/12/2023 13:25

Imagine a cute newborn called Bruce….😂

Cute name but not right now. More time needs to pass before Bruce trends I think

allgood3 · 19/12/2023 13:27

I like Bruce. Local school has a Bruce in Year One, big brother Gus in Year Three.

offuntilnewyear · 19/12/2023 13:31

I like Bruce it's short and straight to the point. It's very Aussie but do you want a name everyone else has?
I also like Brad, it has the same Aussie beach feel.

KissTheRains · 19/12/2023 13:38

Bruce Dickinson
Bruce Campbell
Bruce Willis
Bruce Lee
Bruce Springsteen
Batman

Bruce is a great name.
Worth remembering, you're not naming baby, you're naming a 22 year old graduate, a 45 year old senior manager, god willing, a 76 year old retired consultant. Etc.
They're only cute little babies for a tiny percentage of their life.

Original poster
OopsOutnumbered123 · 19/12/2023 14:58

allgood3 · 19/12/2023 13:27

I like Bruce. Local school has a Bruce in Year One, big brother Gus in Year Three.

My DS1 is called Angus so I guess the names would go!

OP posts:
Original poster
OopsOutnumbered123 · 19/12/2023 14:59

KissTheRains · 19/12/2023 13:38

Bruce Dickinson
Bruce Campbell
Bruce Willis
Bruce Lee
Bruce Springsteen
Batman

Bruce is a great name.
Worth remembering, you're not naming baby, you're naming a 22 year old graduate, a 45 year old senior manager, god willing, a 76 year old retired consultant. Etc.
They're only cute little babies for a tiny percentage of their life.

This is my thinking too, I want a strong name for them that suits whatever profession they choose to go into, not a cutesy nickname 👍

OP posts:
CherriesInChocolate · 19/12/2023 18:25

I really like Bruce. Strong. Easy to say and spell but not overused. I don’t associate it with a specific era, class, etc.

KirstenBlest · 19/12/2023 20:30

It's fine. It's never been particularly trendy. If you like it, use it.
I think it's just a little bit different in quite a good way.

SummaLuvin · 19/12/2023 21:28

Objectively I think it's fine.

Un-objectively I can't help but picture the shark from Finding Nemo in my head.

TomatoSandwiches · 19/12/2023 21:33

It's already starting with pets so I would say it's on it's way to a come back yes.