The first name Ferris
A boy’s name from Norman meaning “iron”.
2 syllables Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Norman origin
Ferris means “iron” in Norman.
English surname, from Norman Ferrers, from the toponymic Ferrières, from French fer (“iron”).
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 4 boys were named Ferris, making it the 4,275th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2012, with 7 births (#2,721).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Ferris with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Ferris at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 38 boys born in the United States were named Ferris, the 3,149th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2024, when 57 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.
Famous people named Ferris
2 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Ferris TaylorAmerican actor (1888-1961)
- David EllisonAmerican film producer (born 1983)
Questions
- What does the name Ferris mean?
- Ferris means “iron” in Norman.
- What is the origin of the name Ferris?
- English surname, from Norman Ferrers, from the toponymic Ferrières, from French fer (“iron”).
- How popular is the name Ferris?
- In 2025, 4 boys born in England and Wales were named Ferris, ranking 4,275th. Its peak was 2012, with 7 births.
- Is Ferris a boy's or a girl's name?
- Both. Of the 3,149 US babies named Ferris since 1880, 10% were girls and 90% boys.
- When was Ferris most popular?
- 2024 in the United States, when 57 babies were named Ferris, its highest rank at 2,430th.
- Is Ferris also a surname?
- Yes. Ferris is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.