Bruce

NewlywedInNewYork · October 2011

What are your thoughts on this name for a boy? It is a family name and I'd like to use it for sentimental reasons - plus, I like it - I feel like it's a strong name and recognizable but not trendy or common. However, I posted on another board and got a lot of feedback that it is a stereotypically gay name. I have no problem with gay people and many gay friends, but at the same time I would not want to cause problems for my son (teasing etc) by naming him a stereotypically gay name.. thoughts?

salt78 · October 2011

Bruce is NMS, but if you really like it I wouldn't worry about it being a "gay name". The first thing I think of when I hear that name is Bruce Springsteen.

I think any of the reasons that Bruce would be considered gay are kind of dated and would be lost on kids anyway.

meenda7 · October 2011

How is a name "gay"? Honestly, I thought of the Shark from "Finding Nemo"! lol If you love it and it means something to you, use it.

pacsunqtaz · October 2011

The first thing that came to my mind, and I seriously mean no offense whatsoever, was porn star- gay man didn't come to mind though if it's any consolation. If you love it I wouldn't pay any attention to what other people say.

StephCripps · October 2011

I don't see it as being a gay name.. I don't think names can be gay..

I went to a mom's group and there was a baby there named Bruce.. I thought it was an odd name for a baby.. You don't hear it very often..

brooklynesque · October 2011

I don't have that association with the name. I think it's fine.

salt78 · October 2011

StephCripps:
I don't see it as being a gay name.. I don't think names can be gay..

I went to a mom's group and there was a baby there named Bruce.. I thought it was an odd name for a baby.. You don't hear it very often..

I totally agree with you, but I Googled it to see if I could find why the OP would make that association and came up with a few things.

NewlywedInNewYork · October 2011

Thanks for the feedback.

*I* was not the one that made an association with the name being gay, just to clarify! It was people on another forum where I asked about the name

elainej · October 2011

It's NMS, but I definitely don't think of it as being a "gay" name, either.

EastCoastBride · October 2011

I find it to be dated.

saham07 · October 2011

meenda7:
How is a name "gay"? Honestly, I thought of the Shark from "Finding Nemo"! lol If you love it and it means something to you, use it.

exactly what i was thinking.........I love the name Bruce. It is a very strong sounding name IMO

Pearl16 · October 2011

I definitely don't think "gay" when I hear Bruce. I agree with PP that I don't think a name can be gay. I think a name can sound feminine, but feminine =/= gay. That being said, Bruce sounds like a very strong name to me. It makes me think of Batman and Bruce Springsteen. It's NMS, but do to your family history, I would not be deterred from using it if I were you.

westrose · October 2011

Bruce is my FIL's name. I like it but we are not using it. I am always behind family names,

Moneypenny424 · October 2011

For whatever reason, the name *did* have a stereotypical gay association, but I hadn't even remembered that until you mentioned it here. I think the name is a little dated, but it is perfectly fine and I wouldn't let late-80s/early-90s associations deter you!

Happily Overwhelmed · October 2011

Most of me agrees that "names" aren't "gay". But then I think of "Todd" and think of a preppy gay guy.... So, I guess there are those "stereotypes".

I don't see it with Bruce though. Actually I see Bruce as more of an old man name. Totally NMS (actually one of my more hated names) but I see no real issue with it and doubt your son would be picked on. My grandma's husband's name was Bruce (so if he was still alive-80ish), I have a cousin in his 30's named Bruce, then there was a guy a few years older than me named Bruce (so mid-upper 20's). I can't say I've heard any children named Bruce...ever.

If you love it and it has sentimental reasons use it! It's a solid name.

alohamora · October 2011

I believe there was an episode of Community in its first season where the basketball team was a bunch of gay men, and they were all named Bruce.

Unfortunately this is what I think of when I hear the name, but maybe as pps said, it's not something that would be on the radar for kids.

Ivana_Stolichnaya · October 2011

I don't get a gay vibe from it at all, it just sounds like a name that an older man would have...not a young child. For example, I have two friends and their dad's names are Bruce, so the name reminds me of two men in their late 50's/early 60's.

Keeks14 · October 2011

Bruce is my Dad's name and I may use it as a middle name!

BethPSU · October 2011

Bruce is my dad and my brother's name. I also had a friend in college named Bruce. I have never considered it a "gay" name. In fact, I think of Bruce Springstein and other successful men in their late 50s early 60s. I admit that I don't easily picture it on a baby, but I think that could be a good thing. It is a recognizeable strong name and your Bruce would be one of a kind since it really isn't very popular these days. For that reason, I like it a lot.

sugarpumpkin716 · October 2011

gay? um ok...

if it means a lot to you then use it for sure. i don't get the gay comment and think those women are dumb. but whatever!

i'd use it as a middle name though not as a first name.

Tisharp · October 2011

I automatically think of Bruce Jenner. And he scares me.

joanithegreat · October 2011

Bruce makes me think of Bruce Campbell and Bruce Springsteen, both are awesome. So if you love the name go for it.

Also a name isn't gay or straight it's just a name. Whoever told you it is a gay name is a tool.

emilyray14 · October 2011

I like it.

panda10 · October 2011

Bruce is not a gay name. I think it's a strong name. Go with Bruce. I think all the boy names with random Y's and junk in them are more feminine names than Bruce would ever be.

And honestly, if someone associates the name Bruce with a gay porn actor, they WON'T be telling you that they recognize the name from a gay porn.