A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Ferguson since 1914
Babies named Ferguson per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2019, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ferguson's real moment was 1914.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 12 |
| 1920s | 17 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 10 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 10 |
| 1980s | 11 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 34 |
| 2020s | 37 |
Meaning & origin
Ferguson is a Scottish patronymic surname turned given name, meaning 'son of Fergus'. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1914, its peak year, and has remained uncommon. As of 2025, it ranks 12,008 with a 1-in-341,615 birth rate. The name has been slowly rising since 2015, possibly due to a revival of surname-style first names. With no heavy association to a single cultural figure, Ferguson offers a distinctive choice with clear Scottish heritage.
Ferguson is a Scottish patronymic surname meaning 'son of Fergus'. The personal name Fergus derives from the Gaelic elements 'fear' (man) and 'gus' (vigor, strength). As a given name, Ferguson has seen sporadic use, primarily in Scotland and among the Scottish diaspora. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1914 and has been used occasionally since, with a modest revival in recent years.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Fergie, Gus, Ferg
Variants: Fergusson
Sibling names for Ferguson
Names that share Ferguson's style, for a brother or sister.
