I associate it with the 70's, since it was more popular among late Boomers who came of age then. A colleague recently used it for his son, and it seems cute. I think if you are of Scottish heritage, it has extra meaning.

Initially I didn't think I liked it, but it's growing on me. I am 37 and the associations I have are first Willis, and second Springsteen. I kind of imagine a 40-something guy from Jersey (wonder why?) but don't actually know anyone by that name.

Anonymous wrote:1970s with a big Burt Reynolds 'stache.

My thoughts exactly.

Anonymous wrote:OP, please don't let a bunch of internet crazies deter you from using a great name. For all you know, it could be the same person saying that Bruce is a gay name. I have never heard that before and it's just silly.

Google it. You'll see.

I also heard the Bruce is a gay name thing -- from my father, who is in his mid-60s, and have never heard it anywhere else. So like the PP said, I highly doubt that anyone in our children's generation will know that connotation. They are more likely to associate it with Bruce Springsteen, which is who I think of (along with Bruce Willis). I don't think I would use the name myself, but there is nothing wrong with it and if you like it and it has significance to you, you should use it.

Anonymous wrote:I think Bruce is seen as a gay name to people who grew up in the 60s and early 70s. By the time your kid grows up we'll be in retirement homes. Most people under 40 have no idea of the gay connotation. Like nowadays you would never call your kid 'Dick'. But older people think nothing of it.

Ahhh, I see, here lays the problem. See I had no idea Bruce was a gay name, I'm a child of the late 80s/early 90s. Furthermore, it does not surprise me that someone of the older generation would refer to a name as "gay". Luckily in my generation, we have been taught that using descriptors like "gay" is simply in bad taste. Maybe the posters who call it gay also like to use the word retard when describing something unrelated as well.

Luckily you old codgers who use such antiquated descriptors with nasty undertones will be flushed out of circulation in time for baby Bruce to grow up in a world with much more acceptance and sensitivities and less thinly veiled bigotry.

Signed,
Sister to Gay Brother named Jason

I posted earlier saying that if you like it, use it. I've known a few kids with that name and it was my grandfather's middle name.

I don't think of any names as "gay". And have never heard that Bruce is a "gay name". I think it's nonsense. Use it if you like it.

OP, please don't let a bunch of internet crazies deter you from using a great name. For all you know, it could be the same person saying that Bruce is a gay name. I have never heard that before and it's just silly.

My nephew's name is Bruce. His dad and granddad are also named Bruce. I like the name cos I haven't met a lot of people by that name.