Holding steady.
Popularity of Ferne since 1884
Babies named Ferne per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 53 |
| 1890s | 276 |
| 1900s | 435 |
| 1910s | 1,578 |
| 1920s | 1,358 |
| 1930s | 466 |
| 1940s | 297 |
| 1950s | 159 |
| 1960s | 44 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 5 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Ferne is a botanical name drawn from the English word for a type of non-flowering plant. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1884, during the late Victorian era when flower and plant names became fashionable for girls. Fern itself was more common, but Ferne with the 'e' was a minor variant. Its peak year was 1916, though it has always been a rare choice. Since the 1910s, usage has been stable but very low, never ranking in the top 1000. The name has not seen a modern revival. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, nature-inspired appeal.
Ferne is the English word for the fern plant, used as a given name beginning in the late 19th century during the Victorian plant-and-flower naming trend. It was one of several botanical names adopted for girls in the English-speaking world.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Fern
Sibling names for Ferne
Names that share Ferne's style, for a brother or sister.
