Although the origin is uncertain, the name was well established and in local use when the Dominion Lands Survey was in the area in 1911. In French, broche refers to a spit, meat skewer, peg or pin. A brochet is a pike fish. Whether there is some connection with either of these, or if it was a surname, is not known.

Flows north-west into Pouce Coupe River approximately 70 km north west of Spirit River.