Fern
Fact sheet
- Name
- Fern
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 1
Fern is a female first name that originates from the English-speaking world and refers to a specific type of plant. The meaning of the name is "the fern."
What does the name Fern mean?
Fern is a female first name of English origin that refers to the term for a specific plant. The name means "the fern" and is derived from the Old English word fearn as well as the Old Germanic *farną, which also means "fern". The first name has been used as a given name since the late 19th century.
Where does the name Fern come from?
The name Fern has its roots in Old English and means "the fern". The etymology traces back to the Old English fearn and the Old Germanic *farną, which also means fern. The language from which the name originates is English.
How do you pronounce Fern?
The pronunciation of Fern is one syllable and clear. Generally, the name is pronounced as "Fearn" [fɜːn] or "Fern" [fɛrn]. The name has a compact sound body and combines a gentle beginning with a closed nasal at the end, giving it a calm and slightly muted effect. These characteristics make Fern a minimalist and focused name that appears quiet and clear, possessing a reserved, stable presence.
Popularity
In Germany, Fern is a rather rare first name. It has not yet appeared in the German name popularity lists. The best ranking the name achieved was 147th place in New Zealand in 2021. Over the last ten years, Fern has been given as a first name around 220 times there, placing it at 180th in the ten-year statistics. From 1930 to 2024, it ranks 636th in New Zealand.
Nicknames & pet names
Fernie
Famous people
- Fannie Fern Andrews (writer from the USA)
- Fearne Cotton (presenter)
- Fern Andra (American actress)
- Fern Bell (American baseball player)
- Fern Brady (comedian)
- Fern Coppedge (artist from America)
- Fern Fitzgerald (American actress)
- Fern Gauthier (Canadian ice hockey player)
- Fern Headley (American ice hockey player)
- Fern Hunt (American mathematician)
- Fern Kinney (singer from America)
- Fern Majeau (Canadian ice hockey player)
- Fern Michaels (writer from the USA)
- Fern Perrault (ice hockey player from Canada)
- Fern Persons (American actress)
- Fern Rivard (Canadian ice hockey player)
- Fern Shollenberger (American baseball player)
- Fern Sutherland (New Zealand actress)
- Fern Whelan (British football player)
- Paey-fern Tan (American table tennis player)
Frequently asked questions about the name Fern
What does the name Fern mean?
The name Fern comes from Old English and means 'the fern', derived from the words fearn and the Old Germanic *farną.
Where does the name Fern come from?
Fern has its roots in Old English and is of English origin, referring to the plant fern.
How popular is the name Fern?
The first name Fern has been used as a given name since the late 19th century and has experienced moderate popularity in recent years.