Vernon
From Transalpine Gaulish uerna (“alder”) (from Proto-Celtic *wernā, from Proto-Indo-European *wern-) + -o, -onis (locative suffix, literally “place of alder trees”).
Every Vernon since 1880 — 148,389 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Vernon
Vernon is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,387 in 2025 with 133 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 148,389 American babies have been named Vernon. Its peak came in 1920, when 3,199 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
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 Vernon stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Vernon 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 | — | — | 133 | #1,387 |
| 2024 | — | — | 112 | #1,562 |
| 2023 | — | — | 107 | #1,631 |
| 2022 | — | — | 118 | #1,531 |
| 2021 | — | — | 125 | #1,452 |
| 2020 | — | — | 80 | #1,870 |
| 2019 | — | — | 115 | #1,490 |
| 2018 | — | — | 103 | #1,602 |
| 2017 | — | — | 115 | #1,476 |
| 2016 | — | — | 111 | #1,521 |
| 2015 | — | — | 106 | #1,545 |
| 2014 | — | — | 123 | #1,387 |
| 2013 | — | — | 113 | #1,467 |
| 2012 | — | — | 118 | #1,418 |
| 2011 | — | — | 118 | #1,410 |
| 2010 | — | — | 138 | #1,266 |
| 2009 | — | — | 115 | #1,456 |
| 2008 | — | — | 137 | #1,275 |
| 2007 | — | — | 151 | #1,175 |
| 2006 | — | — | 146 | #1,161 |
| 2005 | — | — | 136 | #1,181 |
| 2004 | — | — | 147 | #1,085 |
| 2003 | — | — | 174 | #945 |
| 2002 | — | — | 176 | #916 |
| 2001 | — | — | 184 | #872 |
| 2000 | — | — | 196 | #820 |
| 1995 | — | — | 237 | #691 |
| 1990 | — | — | 394 | #489 |
| 1985 | 7 | #9,280 | 547 | #345 |
| 1980 | 6 | #10,355 | 707 | #290 |
| 1975 | 10 | #5,973 | 690 | #278 |
| 1970 | 13 | #4,487 | 1,086 | #224 |
| 1965 | — | — | 1,358 | #188 |
| 1960 | 19 | #2,898 | 1,830 | #173 |
| 1955 | 16 | #2,967 | 2,035 | #146 |
| 1950 | 17 | #2,530 | 2,006 | #134 |
| 1945 | 11 | #2,908 | 1,936 | #118 |
| 1940 | 16 | #2,103 | 1,941 | #105 |
| 1935 | 29 | #1,380 | 2,112 | #94 |
| 1930 | 41 | #1,178 | 2,703 | #72 |
| 1925 | 54 | #1,033 | 2,912 | #67 |
| 1920 | 55 | #1,004 | 3,144 | #65 |
| 1915 | 45 | #999 | 2,060 | #80 |
| 1910 | 17 | #1,107 | 351 | #94 |
| 1905 | 14 | #1,053 | 208 | #104 |
| 1900 | 16 | #966 | 170 | #133 |
| 1895 | 11 | #1,048 | 131 | #129 |
| 1890 | 6 | #1,334 | 83 | #171 |
| 1885 | 5 | #1,192 | 71 | #186 |
| 1880 | — | — | 56 | #214 |
Famous people named Vernon
- Vernon L. Smith Economist · b. 1927
- Vernon Wells Actor · b. 1945
- Vernon A. Walters Politician · 1917–2002
- Vernon Duke Musician · 1903–1969
- Vernon Reid Musician · b. 1958
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Vernon mean?
From Transalpine Gaulish uerna (“alder”) (from Proto-Celtic *wernā, from Proto-Indo-European *wern-) + -o, -onis (locative suffix, literally “place of alder trees”).
How popular is the name Vernon in 2025?
Vernon ranked #1,387 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 133 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Vernon?
148,389 babies have been named Vernon in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Vernon most popular?
Vernon peaked in 1920, when 3,199 newborns received the name.
Is Vernon a boy or girl name?
Vernon is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Vernon rising or falling?
Vernon has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Vernon?
Well-known people named Vernon include Vernon L. Smith (economist), Vernon Wells (actor), Vernon A. Walters (politician).