Fern
From fern; in the case of the surname, it was given to someone who lived in a place where there was an abundance of these plants.
Every Fern since 1880 — 38,195 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Fern
Fern is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #1,220 in 2025 with 186 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 38,195 American babies have been named Fern. Its peak came in 1918, when 1,356 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Fern stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Fern year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 186 | #1,220 | — | — |
| 2024 | 186 | #1,252 | 16 | #5,736 |
| 2023 | 157 | #1,422 | — | — |
| 2022 | 148 | #1,481 | 5 | #12,965 |
| 2021 | 141 | #1,500 | — | — |
| 2020 | 135 | #1,565 | — | — |
| 2019 | 108 | #1,867 | — | — |
| 2018 | 127 | #1,660 | — | — |
| 2017 | 86 | #2,206 | — | — |
| 2016 | 87 | #2,213 | — | — |
| 2015 | 86 | #2,200 | — | — |
| 2014 | 65 | #2,696 | — | — |
| 2013 | 46 | #3,419 | — | — |
| 2012 | 45 | #3,547 | — | — |
| 2011 | 34 | #4,283 | — | — |
| 2010 | 33 | #4,427 | — | — |
| 2009 | 26 | #5,439 | — | — |
| 2008 | 27 | #5,336 | — | — |
| 2007 | 10 | #11,097 | — | — |
| 2006 | 16 | #7,608 | — | — |
| 2005 | 18 | #6,633 | — | — |
| 2004 | 19 | #6,312 | — | — |
| 2003 | 13 | #8,151 | — | — |
| 2002 | 11 | #9,049 | — | — |
| 2001 | 9 | #10,378 | — | — |
| 2000 | 18 | #6,030 | — | — |
| 1995 | 13 | #6,774 | — | — |
| 1990 | 9 | #8,713 | — | — |
| 1985 | 13 | #5,455 | — | — |
| 1980 | 17 | #4,383 | — | — |
| 1975 | 22 | #3,188 | — | — |
| 1970 | 67 | #1,491 | 5 | #4,955 |
| 1965 | 84 | #1,173 | — | — |
| 1960 | 183 | #758 | — | — |
| 1955 | 216 | #633 | — | — |
| 1950 | 228 | #547 | 8 | #2,856 |
| 1945 | 260 | #442 | 8 | #2,633 |
| 1940 | 328 | #359 | 5 | #3,625 |
| 1935 | 429 | #289 | 7 | #3,064 |
| 1930 | 633 | #246 | 8 | #3,116 |
| 1925 | 976 | #203 | 15 | #2,122 |
| 1920 | 1,304 | #170 | 21 | #1,716 |
| 1915 | 1,175 | #157 | 26 | #1,320 |
| 1910 | 394 | #174 | 7 | #1,350 |
| 1905 | 273 | #183 | 5 | #1,301 |
| 1900 | 266 | #193 | — | — |
| 1895 | 184 | #200 | — | — |
| 1890 | 119 | #224 | — | — |
| 1885 | 44 | #304 | — | — |
| 1880 | 10 | #558 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Fern mean?
From fern; in the case of the surname, it was given to someone who lived in a place where there was an abundance of these plants.
How popular is the name Fern in 2025?
Fern ranked #1,220 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 186 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Fern?
38,195 babies have been named Fern in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Fern most popular?
Fern peaked in 1918, when 1,356 newborns received the name.
Is Fern a boy or girl name?
Fern is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Fern rising or falling?
Fern is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.