Beck

Beck is an English word for a stream, particularly in northern usage, and an established surname associated with that landscape feature. The word reflects Old Norse influence on English. Other surnames spelled Beck can have different histories, so the stream explanation fits the English nature-name route without claiming to account for every family in every country.

The single syllable and firm ending give Beck a compact sound. It can be chosen independently or used informally for a longer name, but its own surname and word history do not require an expansion. Brook offers a close meaning comparison, while Beckett has a different surname history despite sharing the same opening letters.