How Many People Are Named Bruce?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Bruce

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 5,593 living people in the United States currently have the first name Bruce. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 10,217 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #238 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~5,593CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)10,217Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#238U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year1947 (184 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~5,593
Historical Births (SSA)
10,217
All-Time Rank
#238
Historical Peak
1947

Key Insights for Bruce

Estimated Living Bearers
~5,593 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#238
Common First Name (Top 500)
Historical Peak Year
1947
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Female
9% Male · 91% Female
Largest Estimated Population
California
~699 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Bruce

Living Population Model
~5,593

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
10,217

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
7,143

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
49 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
1947

Highest annual total: 184 registrations in 1947.

Recent 10-Year Trend
stable (+0%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Bruce has maintained a consistent, stable registration level across recent 2015–2024 birth cohorts.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Bruce (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 1947 (~184 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
201067760
201167760
201267760
201367760
201467760
201567760
201667760
201767760
201867760
201967760
202067760
202167760
202267760
202367760
202467760

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
98/100
1950s
91/100
1960s
63/100
1970s
33/100
1980s
13/100
1990s
5/100
2000s
37/100
2010s
37/100
2020s
18/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historically in the U.S., Bruce has been predominantly feminine (91% female vs 9% male).

Male: 9% (~923 births)Female: 91% (~9,294 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Bruce

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Bruce in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Bruce appeared 7,143 times, ranking #58 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
7,143 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#58
Census Sex Breakdown
8% M · 92% F

Where Is the Name Bruce Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~699 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~69912.5%
Texas (TX)~5159.2%
Florida (FL)~3806.8%
New York (NY)~3416.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~2244%
Illinois (IL)~2183.9%
Ohio (OH)~2013.6%
Georgia (GA)~1853.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 5,593 people named Bruce are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 49 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Bruce: 49 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

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Frequently Asked Questions About Bruce

How many people in the U.S. are named Bruce?

Approximately 5,593 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Bruce. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 10,217 birth applications for Bruce between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Bruce?

Bruce ranks #238 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This places Bruce comfortably within the top 500 most widely recognized American names.

When was the name Bruce most popular in America?

The name Bruce reached its peak historical popularity in 1947, when 184 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Bruce?

Bruce has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Bruce?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historically in the U.S., Bruce has been predominantly feminine (91% female vs 9% male).

Where is the name Bruce most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Bruce resides in California, with approximately 699 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Bruce in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Bruce appeared 7,143 times in census returns, ranking #58 in official 2020 returns.

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