How Many People Are Named Brown?

Complete statistics for the name Brown: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.

Brown
Common
Old English

Brown is an uncommon surname with roots in Old English, making it very rare today with just 296 people bearing it, or 1 in 1,116,407 Americans. The majority, 93%, are over 60, giving it a decidedly older generation feel.

~1,386,083
Living in US
1 in 239
Americans
1918
Peak Year

📖 Meaning & Origin

💬
Meaning
Dark-colored
🌐
Origin
Old English
🔢
Numerology
Life Path 9
Personality Traits
Steadfast Reliable
9
Life Path Number

People with the life path number 9 are often seen as compassionate and understanding, dedicated to helping others.

🌍 Worldwide Usage

45,624
Worldwide Bearers
#19,973
Global Rank
🇺🇸 United States
8,020
🇹🇿 Tanzania
6,974
🇳🇬 Nigeria
6,796
🇲🇼 Malawi
6,176
🇿🇲 Zambia
3,290
🇬🇭 Ghana
2,304
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
1,845
🇱🇷 Liberia
1,680
🇰🇪 Kenya
1,258
🇿🇦 South Africa
1,030

⚥ Gender Distribution

♂ Male
291 (98%)
♀ Female
5 (2%)

📊 Births by Age Group

Avg Cohort Age: 97
34
Would be under 30 (2%)
69
Would be 30–60 (5%)
1,369
Would be over 60 (93%)

All 1,472 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).

📈 Popularity Over Time

Peak: 1918

Annual US births from SSA records  ·  Trend: Slowly rising

🏆 Name Scorecard

Popularity
90
Classic Feel
91
Modern Appeal
9
International
99

Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency

📜 Brown Through the Generations

Over the decades, Brown has maintained its charm, peaking in popularity in 1918 with 55 births. Today, it's a classic name with a slow rise in usage. With an average age of 97, most people named Brown are over 60, indicating a strong connection to past generations. Only 34 individuals are under 30, suggesting that while it's still cherished, it's not as trendy among younger parents.

📍 State Distribution (Top 10)

Tennessee 82
Kentucky 37
Georgia 34
North Carolina 29
Mississippi 28
Alabama 17
South Carolina 16
Virginia 6
Arkansas 5

✨ Similar Names to Brown

🌿 Related Names by Origin

Other names sharing Brown's Old English roots

📄 About the Name Brown

How Many People Have the Name Brown?

Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 1,386,083 people in the United States currently share the name Brown. That works out to roughly 1 in every 239 Americans, placing it in the Common category.

Is Brown a Common or Rare Name?

Brown is classified as Common. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.

What Does the Name Brown Mean?

Brown means "Dark-colored" and comes from Old English origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 9.

Gender Breakdown

Of all recorded bearers of Brown in SSA data, approximately 98% are male and 2% are female.

When Was Brown Most Popular?

The name Brown reached peak popularity in 1918, with 55 babies registered that year. Current trend: Slowly rising.

How Is This Data Calculated?

All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are named Brown?

Approximately 1,386,083 people named Brown live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 1,386,083. That works out to roughly 1 in 239 Americans.

Is Brown a rare name?

Brown is classified as Common in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 239 Americans has this name.

What does the name Brown mean?

Brown means "Dark-colored" and comes from Old English origins.

Is Brown more male or female?

Based on SSA records, 98% of people named Brown are male and 2% are female.

When was Brown most popular?

Brown peaked in 1918 with 55 births that year. Current trend: Slowly rising.

How accurate are these statistics?

All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.

Disclaimer: All results are statistical estimates based on aggregated SSA birth records and modeling. Not exact counts of individuals. Data source: SSA National Baby Names dataset.
Quick Stats
Living in US1,386,083
All-Time Births1,386,083
1 in X1 in 239
RarityCommon
GenderMale
Avg Age97
Peak Year1918
World Rank#19,973
Male %98%
Female %2%

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Data Source

Powered by the SSA National Baby Names dataset, birth registrations from 1880 to present.

All counts are statistical estimates. See the methodology page.