Bruun

Bruun is a surname of Danish origin that is common in Denmark and among Danish communities abroad. It is also used in corporate names and as a component in place-based names throughout Scandinavia.

Etymology: Bruun derives from the Old Danish brun, meaning brown. It originated as a descriptive nickname for someone with brown hair or complexion and later became a hereditary surname. Variants occur in related languages, including Bruhn and other spellings in Danish, Norwegian, and German contexts.

Usage and significance: The name is borne by numerous individuals across Danish history and contemporary life. It also appears in institutional and commercial names, such as Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers, a prominent Danish auction house.

Distribution: Today, Bruun remains most common in Denmark, with pockets in Norway and Sweden and diaspora communities in North America.