The first name Fern

In 2025, 149 girls were named Fern, making it the 301st most popular girls’ name. It peaked in 1996, with 170 births (#233).

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

In 2025, 186 girls born in the United States were named Fern, the 1,220th most popular girls’ name that year. It was used most in 1918, when 1,341 were.

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.

• Fern Andra
  American actress (1893-1974)
• Fern Emmett
  Actress (1896-1946)
• Fern Hunt
  American mathematician, born 1948
• Fern Persons
  American actor, SAG/AFTRA activist (1910-2012)
• Fern Fitzgerald
  American actress, born 1947
• Fern Whelan
  English footballer (born 1988)

What does the name Fern mean?

From fern; in the case of the surname, it was given to someone who lived in a place where there was an abundance of these plants.

How popular is the name Fern?

In 2025, 149 girls born in England and Wales were named Fern, ranking 301st. Its peak was 1996, with 170 births.

Is Fern a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a girl's name: 99% of the 38,195 US babies named Fern since 1880 were girls.

When was Fern most popular?

1918 in the United States, when 1,341 babies were named Fern, its highest rank at 164th.

How do you pronounce Fern?

Fern is /fɝːn/, one syllable.

Is Fern also a surname?

Yes. Fern is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.