gender neutral
Fern
green plant
About Fern
This delicate botanical name carries an earthy elegance that feels both vintage and refreshingly modern. Fern evokes images of lush forest floors, dappled sunlight, and the quiet strength of nature. It's a name that whispers rather than shouts, perfect for parents seeking something distinctive without being overly elaborate. The single syllable makes it wonderfully versatile for middle name pairings, while its gentle sound creates an immediate sense of warmth and approachability. Fern has seen a resurgence in recent years as parents embrace nature-inspired names, yet it remains uncommon enough to feel special and individual.
Popularity of the Name Fern
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | United Kingdom | New Zealand | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | #558 | |||
| 1881 | #554 | |||
| 1882 | #349 | |||
| 1883 | #440 | |||
| 1884 | #306 | |||
| 1885 | #304 | |||
| 1886 | #358 | |||
| 1887 | #252 | |||
| 1888 | #262 | |||
| 1889 | #230 | |||
| 1890 | #224 | |||
| 1891 | #216 | |||
| 1892 | #192 | |||
| 1893 | #185 | |||
| 1894 | #188 | |||
| 1895 | #200 | |||
| 1896 | #186 | |||
| 1897 | #178 | |||
| 1898 | #175 | |||
| 1899 | #182 | |||
| 1900 | #193 | |||
| 1901 | #191 | |||
| 1902 | #190 | |||
| 1903 | #177 | |||
| 1904 | #173 | |||
| 1905 | #183 | |||
| 1906 | #181 | |||
| 1907 | #193 | |||
| 1908 | #166 | |||
| 1909 | #174 | |||
| 1910 | #174 | |||
| 1911 | #172 | |||
| 1912 | #167 | |||
| 1913 | #166 | |||
| 1914 | #172 | |||
| 1915 | #157 | |||
| 1916 | #152 | |||
| 1917 | #162 | |||
| 1918 | #164 | |||
| 1919 | #176 | |||
| 1920 | #170 | |||
| 1921 | #174 | |||
| 1922 | #182 | |||
| 1923 | #187 | |||
| 1924 | #197 | |||
| 1925 | #203 | |||
| 1926 | #209 | |||
| 1927 | #219 | |||
| 1928 | #222 | |||
| 1929 | #231 | |||
| 1930 | #246 | |||
| 1931 | #255 | |||
| 1932 | #277 | |||
| 1933 | #275 | |||
| 1934 | #285 | |||
| 1935 | #289 | |||
| 1936 | #303 | |||
| 1937 | #326 | |||
| 1938 | #323 | |||
| 1939 | #359 | |||
| 1940 | #359 | |||
| 1941 | #396 | |||
| 1942 | #407 | |||
| 1943 | #424 | |||
| 1944 | #427 | |||
| 1945 | #442 | |||
| 1946 | #464 | |||
| 1947 | #520 | |||
| 1948 | #527 | |||
| 1949 | #537 | |||
| 1950 | #546 | |||
| 1951 | #526 | |||
| 1952 | #576 | |||
| 1953 | #542 | |||
| 1954 | #585 | |||
| 1955 | #632 | |||
| 1956 | #628 | |||
| 1957 | #731 | |||
| 1958 | #748 | |||
| 1959 | #702 | |||
| 1960 | #758 | |||
| 1961 | #822 | |||
| 1997 | #307 | #617 | ||
| 1998 | #254 | |||
| 1999 | #313 | |||
| 2000 | #367 | |||
| 2001 | #368 | |||
| 2002 | #367 | #677 | ||
| 2003 | #362 | |||
| 2004 | #426 | #364 | ||
| 2005 | #442 | |||
| 2006 | #335 | #671 | ||
| 2007 | #399 | #290 | #653 | |
| 2008 | #491 | #393 | #939 | |
| 2009 | #534 | #786 | ||
| 2010 | #517 | |||
| 2011 | #605 | #284 | #832 | |
| 2012 | #616 | #804 | ||
| 2013 | #562 | #291 | #779 | |
| 2014 | #486 | #389 | ||
| 2015 | #476 | #306 | ||
| 2016 | #458 | #209 | ||
| 2017 | #446 | #350 | #767 | |
| 2018 | #397 | #161 | #638 | |
| 2019 | #357 | #222 | ||
| 2020 | #346 | #212 | ||
| 2021 | #335 | #148 | #673 | |
| 2022 | #356 | #168 | #947 | |
| 2023 | #313 | #171 | ||
| 2024 | #312 | #159 | #767 | |
| 2025 | #266 | #212 | #551 | |
| 1982 | #562 | |||
| 1991 | #478 |
Top names by country: United States · United Kingdom · New Zealand · Ireland
Variations of Name Fern
- Fearn
- Feronia
- Fernetta
- Fernanda
- Fernande
Names Similar to Fern
Nicknames for Fern
- Ferni
- Fernie
- Fee
- Fifi
- Fanny
Famous People Named Fern
| Fern Britton | British TV presenter and author |
| Fern Fox | American artist and illustrator |
| Fern Sutherland | New Zealand actress |
| Fern Andra | German-American actress, director, and screenwriter from the silent film era |
| Fern Shaw | British fashion designer |
| Fern Holmberg | Swedish politician |
| Fern Schumer Chapman | American author and professor |
| Fern Simon | American artist |
| Fern Cotton | British radio and TV presenter |
| Fern Hawkins | English lifestyle blogger and fiancée of a professional soccer player |
| Fern Persons | American Olympic sprinter and hurdler |
| Fern Marja-Finegold | American singer and songwriter |
Characters Named Fern
| Fern Arable | A character from "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White |
| Fern Gully | The main character in the animated film "FernGully - The Last Rainforest" |
| Fern Mayo | A character in the film "Jawbreaker" |
| Fern Smith | A character in the TV series "The Andy Griffith Show" |
| Fern Walters | A character in the TV series "Arthur" |
| Fern Deacon | A character in the TV series "Grange Hill" |
| Fern Thornton | A character in the novel "Sew Far" by Monica Ferris |
| Fern Beech | A character in the book "Behind the Attic Wall" by Sylvia Cassedy |
| Fern Delaney | A character in the TV series "The Ghost & Mrs. Muir" |