Burke

At a Glance

Meaning

Dweller at a fortress

Origin

Anglo-Norman (surname)

Gender

Boy

Pronunciation

BURKListen

Burke is pronounced BURK and traces back to Anglo-Norman surname roots, carrying the meaning "dweller at a fortress." You'll sometimes see it described as an Irish name, but that label is misleading — the word itself comes from Old French/Germanic roots for fortress, and only picked up its Irish association later through the de Burgh family. As a first name today, Burke fits with worldly and clean, modern style sensibilities.

Meaning & Origin of Burke

Meaning: Dweller at a fortress.

Origin: Anglo-Norman (surname).

A common claim: Burke is popularly described as an Irish name meaning 'fortress' or 'stronghold-dweller.' Actually: The 'Irish' label is misleading – Burke's root is Anglo-Norman/Old French (from the Germanic word for fortress); it only became associated with Ireland through the Hiberno-Norman de Burgh family.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Burke

Popularity of Burke

Burke hit its high point in 1881, when it ranked #799 with 6 babies given the name — by 2024 it had drifted down to #3218, with 37 babies recorded that year.

Names Like Burke

These names share Burke’s style, era or origin.

• Finlo
• Flynn
• Keane
• Neil
• Niall
• Niven

FAQ

What does the name Burke mean?

Dweller at a fortress. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Burke?

Burke is pronounced BURK (IPA: /ˈbɜːrk/).

Is Burke a popular name right now?

Burke peaked at #799 in 1881 and is ranked #3218 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1881–2024.)

Make Burke Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Burke, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.