Maybe it's the ultimate sign that New York City's up-and-coming borough has finally arrived: Brooklyn is now one of the most popular baby names in the US - but not in the Big Apple.

Brooklyn as a name for girls has surged from No 912 to the top 30 in each of the last three years. Some credit football star David Beckham and his wife Victoria for naming their son Brooklyn, some cite actress Brooklyn Decker, while others point to Girls and other TV shows and movies that tap into the borough's gritty, cool vibe.

A total of 41 states have Brooklyn as the most popular girl's name beginning with B, but New York is not among them. Real Brooklynites say naming your child Brooklyn is strictly for out-of-towners.