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    The first name Fergus

    A boy’s name from Scottish Gaelic meaning “true”, “man”, “most chosen one”.

    Pronounced /ˈfɝɡəs/ 2 syllables Male Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    Scottish Gaelic origin

    Fergus means “true”, “man”, “most chosen one” in Scottish Gaelic.

    From Irish or Scottish Gaelic Fearghas. The first element may be related to modern fìor (“true”) or fear (“man”) (cf. Fearchar). The second element has been understood to mean 'choice' (cf. Angus). Thus the name means either "most chosen one" or "chosen man".

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 103 boys were named Fergus, making it the 396th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 1997, with 122 births (#244).

    0100200 1996200020052010201520202025
    2,532
    babies named Fergus, 1996–2025
    #396
    rank in 2025
    1997
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Fergus with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Fergus at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 19 boys born in the United States were named Fergus, the 5,092nd most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2024, when 24 were.

    01530 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    568
    babies named Fergus since 1880
    #5,092
    rank in 2025
    2024
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Nicknames and spellings

    Nicknames for Fergus

    • Fergy

    Other spellings and forms

    • Vargus

    Famous people named Fergus

    6 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Fergus Anderson
      British racing driver (1909-1956)
    • Fergus Kavanagh
      Field hockey player, born 1985
    • Fergus Hume
      British writer (1859–1932)
    • Fergus Millar
      British classical historian (1935–2019)
    • Fergus Bowes-Lyon
      British Army officer (1889-1915); elder brother of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother; uncle
    • Fergus Patrick McEvay
      Canadian archbishop, 1852–1911

    More Scottish Gaelic boys’ names

    All 54 names of Scottish Gaelic origin

    Questions

    What does the name Fergus mean?
    Fergus means “true”, “man”, “most chosen one” in Scottish Gaelic.
    What is the origin of the name Fergus?
    From Irish or Scottish Gaelic Fearghas. The first element may be related to modern fìor (“true”) or fear (“man”) (cf. Fearchar). The second element has been understood to mean 'choice' (cf. Angus). Thus the name means either "most chosen one" or "chosen man".
    How popular is the name Fergus?
    In 2025, 103 boys born in England and Wales were named Fergus, ranking 396th. Its peak was 1997, with 122 births.
    What are nicknames for Fergus?
    Common nicknames for Fergus include Fergy.
    Is Fergus a boy's or a girl's name?
    Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 568 US babies named Fergus since 1880 were boys.
    When was Fergus most popular?
    2024 in the United States, when 24 babies were named Fergus, its highest rank at 4,354th.
    How do you pronounce Fergus?
    Fergus is /ˈfɝɡəs/, 2 syllables.
    What are other spellings of Fergus?
    Vargus.
    Is Fergus also a surname?
    Yes. Fergus is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.