brooks

Brooks is a surname of English origin that originated as a topographic name for someone who lived by a brook or small stream. It is also used as a masculine given name and is the plural form of Brook. The name is common in English-speaking countries and has yielded numerous place names and institutions.

In its use as a given name, Brooks has gained popularity primarily in the United States. It remains more common as a surname, but contemporary naming practices have led to its occasional use as a first name for boys.

Prominent individuals with the surname include Mel Brooks (born 1926), American filmmaker, actor, and comedian; and Garth Brooks (born 1962), American country music singer and songwriter.

Geographical uses include Brooks, Alberta, a town in southern Canada. Other places in English-speaking countries bear the name, reflecting its status as a common toponym.