Bruce is a masculine given name of English and Scottish origin. It derives from a Scottish surname of Norman origin, which likely comes from the place name Brix in Manche, Normandy, France, meaning "the willowlands." The surname was carried to Scotland by the Normans and was borne by Robert the Bruce (1274–1329), a Scottish hero who secured independence from England and reigned as King of Scots. As a given name, Bruce has been used in the English-speaking world since the 19th century and peaked in popularity during the 1940s and 1950s. Notable Bearers Bruce has been used by many notable figures across various fields. In arts and entertainment, Chinese-American actor and martial artist Bruce Lee (1940–1973) brought global attention to the name, as did American rock musician Bruce Springsteen (born 1949) and actor Bruce Willis (born 1955). The name is also iconic in pop culture for being the real identity of early 20th century comic book vigilantes, Fictional characters known by the name include: it is the alias of the comic book superhero Batman (Bruce Wayne) and the Hulk (Bruce Banner), Sports also have its version. An example scottish fighter Daniel Bruce (some). Other famous bearers include Bruce Boxleitner (born 1950), American actor; Bruce Campbell (born 1958), American actor; and Bruce Willis (born 1955), in a later generation. Meaning: “The willowlands” or originally from the town Brix in France. Origin: Scottish surname from a Norman place. Type: Masculine given name. Used in regions: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand.