The first name Fernando
A boy’s name from Spanish meaning “journey”, “peace”, “daring”.
Pronounced /fɝˈnændoʊ/ 3 syllables Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Spanish origin
Fernando means “journey”, “peace”, “daring” in Spanish.
From Spanish Fernando, a contraction of Ferdinando, equivalent to English Ferdinand. From Proto-Germanic *fardiz (“journey”) or *friþuz (“peace”) + *nanþaz (“daring”) (from the root of *ninþaną (“to be daring”)).
More names that mean brave, peace.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 10 boys were named Fernando, making it the 2,269th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2010, with 20 births (#1,241).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Fernando with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Fernando at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 819 boys born in the United States were named Fernando, the 387th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2006, when 2,758 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.
Nicknames and spellings
Nicknames for Fernando
- Nando
Famous people named Fernando
214 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Fernando BoteroColombian painter and sculptor (1932–2023)
- Fernando Lugo47.° President of Paraguay, born 1951
- Fernando GagoArgentine association football player and manager, born 1986
- Fernando RedondoArgentine association football player, born 1969
- Fernando GonzálezChilean tennis player, born 1980
- Julian Fernando Casablancas ChristiansenAmerican singer, born 1978
- Fernando MeirellesBrazilian film director (born 1955)
- Fernando RegesBrazilian footballer, born 1987
- Fernando AmorebietaFootballer, born 1985
- Fernando SolanasArgentine film director, screenwriter and politician (1936–2020)
- Fernando HaddadBrazilian politician, 51st mayor of São Paulo (2013–2017) and former Brazilian Finance Min
- Fernando FiloniCatholic cardinal, born 1946
More Spanish boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Fernando mean?
- Fernando means “journey”, “peace”, “daring” in Spanish.
- What is the origin of the name Fernando?
- From Spanish Fernando, a contraction of Ferdinando, equivalent to English Ferdinand. From Proto-Germanic *fardiz (“journey”) or *friþuz (“peace”) + *nanþaz (“daring”) (from the root of *ninþaną (“to be daring”)).
- How popular is the name Fernando?
- In 2025, 10 boys born in England and Wales were named Fernando, ranking 2,269th. Its peak was 2010, with 20 births.
- What are nicknames for Fernando?
- Common nicknames for Fernando include Nando.
- Is Fernando a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 99% of the 103,729 US babies named Fernando since 1880 were boys.
- When was Fernando most popular?
- 2006 in the United States, when 2,758 babies were named Fernando, its highest rank at 151st.
- How do you pronounce Fernando?
- Fernando is /fɝˈnændoʊ/, 3 syllables.
- Is Fernando also a surname?
- Yes. Fernando is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.