Fern
Fern is a girls' name of English origin meaning “feathery green plant of the woodlands.”
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how do you pronounce Fern?
FURN
where does the name Fern come from?
An English topographic surname from the Old English fearn, for someone who lived among ferns.
Fern is a botanical name that gained literary fame through E.B. White's Charlotte's Web, where Fern Arable is the compassionate girl who saves Wilbur the pig. It has a soft, naturalistic charm beloved in the vintage revival.
how popular is this name?
Fern has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 82 years since 1880. It peaked at #152 in 1916, and ranked #821 in 1961.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 1961 | #821 |
| 1960 | #755 |
| 1959 | #702 |
| 1958 | #748 |
| 1957 | #731 |
| 1956 | #629 |
| 1955 | #633 |
| 1954 | #585 |
| 1953 | #543 |
| 1952 | #577 |
| 1950 | #547 |
| 1940 | #359 |
| 1930 | #246 |
| 1920 | #170 |
| 1916 | #152 |
| 1910 | #174 |
| 1900 | #193 |
| 1890 | #224 |
| 1880 | #547 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Fern fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Fern
It has been used as a given name since the 1800s, mainly for girls and occasionally for boys. In the United States 133 babies were named Fern in 2020 and 156 in 2023.
who are famous people named Fern?
- Fern Arable (Charlotte's Web character)
- Fern Britton (TV presenter)
what names are similar to Fern?
what names go well with Fern?
Sibling names that share Fern's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Fern
What does the name Fern mean?
Fern means “feathery green plant of the woodlands”.
What is the origin of the name Fern?
Fern comes from the English naming tradition.
How popular is the name Fern?
Fern ranked #821 in the US in 1961, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1916, at #152, and it has spent 82 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Fern a boy or girl name?
Fern is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Fern?
Fern is pronounced FURN, with 1 syllable.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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