Fergus
Fergus or Feargus is a common and one of the oldest known Irish or Scottish male given name derived from Old Irish, meaning "the strong (one)" or "the masculine (one)".
- Irish
- Scottish
- Irish Mythology
- Old Irish
Meaning & Origin of Fergus
What this name means, where it came from, and how it has traveled across cultures.
Fergus or Feargus is a common and one of the oldest known Irish or Scottish male given name derived from Old Irish, meaning "the strong (one)" or "the masculine (one)".
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →
Cultural Origins (via Behind the Name)
- Irish
- Scottish
- Irish Mythology
- Old Irish
The Story of Fergus
Fergus first appeared in U.S. Social Security Administration records as a baby boy name in 1916, with 7 babies given the name that year. The name hit its high-water mark in 2026: 24 births, good for #4,342 nationwide. The 2010s were its strongest decade, accounting for roughly 24% of all recorded Ferguss. In the latest 2026 data it stands at #4,342 among baby boy names with 24 births, rising sharply (+27% over the past five years). In total, more than 594 Ferguss have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 1910s through the 2020s.
Popularity Over Time
Popularity by State
Variants & Related Forms of Fergus
Foreign forms, alternate spellings, and nicknames that share roots with Fergus. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.
- Fearghas
- Fergie
Notable people named Fergus
A small selection from Wikipedia. Tap "Read more" below to see the full list on Wikipedia.
- Saint Fergus
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →
Names that sound like Fergus
Phonetically similar names — useful when Fergus is the vibe but a different syllable count or letter feel might suit better. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.
- Ferous
- Fagus
- Frus
- Phorous
- Ferreous
- Phagous
- Feargus
- Argus
- Forgets
- Frys
- Fress
- Fris
Source: Datamuse . Phonetic similarity ranking, not curated.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fergus
What does the name Fergus mean?
What is the origin of the name Fergus?
How popular is Fergus in 2026?
When was Fergus most popular?
In which U.S. states is Fergus most popular?
Is Fergus a unisex name?
What names go well with Fergus?
What are nicknames or variants of Fergus?
About the name Fergus
Fergus is a boy baby name tracked by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It first appeared in SSA records in 1916 and has accumulated 594 births in the dataset. Fergus's peak popularity came in 2026 when it ranked #2,699. Use the chart and map above to compare Fergus's trajectory across years and U.S. states, or browse the related names section to discover similar choices.
Continue exploring
- Top names of 2026 →
- Names of the 2020s →
- Names starting with "F" →
- Browse all boy names →
- Top names of 2026 →
Data sources
- Birth statistics (counts, ranks, years 1880–2026) — U.S. Social Security Administration . Predictions for years not yet released by SSA are computed by Peek a Name from historical trends; we update with official data as soon as it ships.
- Etymology, cultural origins, and related forms — Behind the Name (used under their public API terms).
- Meaning prose and editorial summary — Wikipedia article extracts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 .
- Predicted nationality distribution — Nationalize.io .
- Phonetically similar names — Datamuse .
Peek a Name aggregates and presents the above data for informational purposes. Statistical predictions and external attributions are clearly labelled where shown; we make no guarantee of accuracy beyond what each source provides.