Fergus: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#5,092

among boys · ↓738 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Fergus · -21% vs 2024

How common

1 in 89,899

boys born in 2025

Peak year

2024

24 babies

All-time total

568

#7,320 all-time among boys

First recorded

1916

in Social Security records

Fergus popularity over time

568 babies have been named Fergus since 1916, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	23	2	–	#2,760
1920s	22	2	-4%	#3,866
1930s	15	2	-32%	#3,712
1940s	5	1	-67%	#3,689
1950s	20	2	+300%	#2,993
1960s	36	4	+80%	#2,925
1970s	30	3	-17%	#4,951
1980s	11	1	-63%	#6,648
1990s	60	6	+445%	#4,751
2000s	91	9	+52%	#4,869
2010s	142	14	+56%	#4,596
2020s (to 2025)	113	19	+33%	#4,354

The story of Fergus

Fergus is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #5,092 in 2025 with 19 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1916, 568 American babies have been named Fergus. Its peak came in 2024, when 24 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 2020s.

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 Fergus stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Fergus?

The median living Fergus is about 14 years old; half are between 6 and 28. An estimated 500 people named Fergus are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Fergus year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	19	#5,092
2024	24	#4,354
2023	23	#4,504
2022	12	#6,954
2021	22	#4,534
2020	13	#6,405
2019	15	#5,906
2018	16	#5,611
2017	17	#5,357
2016	20	#4,837
2015	21	#4,596
2014	12	#6,772
2013	20	#4,680
2012	9	#8,378
2011	12	#6,722
2010	–	–
2009	7	#10,198
2008	12	#6,887
2007	12	#6,775
2006	6	#11,080
2005	5	#12,010
2004	10	#7,151
2003	11	#6,397
2002	5	#11,250
2001	8	#7,779
2000	15	#4,869
1995	7	#7,250
1990	–	–
1985	–	–
1980	–	–
1975	–	–
1970	5	#4,951
1965	6	#3,662
1960	–	–
1955	–	–
1950	–	–
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	–	–
1930	5	#4,195
1925	5	#4,440
1920	–	–
1915	–	–
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Famous people named Fergus

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Fergus Mór King of Gaelic kingdom (c. 430–501) 500–501 · Medieval

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Fergus, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Fergus?

The median living Fergus is about 14 years old. Half of all living Ferguss are between 6 and 28 years old.

How many people named Fergus are alive today?

An estimated 500 people named Fergus are alive in the United States, based on 568 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Fergus mean?

From Irish or Scottish Gaelic Fearghas.

How popular is the name Fergus in 2025?

Fergus ranked #5,092 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 19 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Fergus?

568 babies have been named Fergus in the United States since 1916, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Fergus most popular?

Fergus peaked in 2024, when 24 newborns received the name.

Is Fergus a boy or girl name?

Fergus is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Fergus rising or falling?

Fergus is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Fergus?

Well-known people named Fergus include Fergus Mór (politician).

Names like Fergus

Names that sound and feel close to Fergus: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Fergus with similar names → More names starting with F →