Ferris Boy

Popularity: #900 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: FAIR-iss //ˈfɛr.ɪs//

Origin: Irish; English

Meaning: Irish: man of the ferocious one; English: rock

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Ferris has its roots in the Latin word "ferre," which means "to carry" or "to bear." This Latin term evolved into the Old French "ferrier," meaning "blacksmith," which was used to denote someone who worked with iron. The transition into English occurred during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when many Old French names and terms were adopted into the English language.

The name Ferris likely emerged as a surname before being used as a given name, reflecting the occupational heritage of individuals involved in metalworking or smithing. Historically, the name Ferris can be traced back to various notable figures, particularly in medieval England.

One significant milestone is the appearance of the surname in records from the 12th century, where it was associated with landowners and knights. The name gained further recognition through the Ferris family, who were prominent in the English nobility during the Middle Ages.

Additionally, the name appears in various historical documents and texts, contributing to its establishment in the English lexicon. Culturally, the name Ferris carries connotations of strength and craftsmanship, reflecting the qualities associated with blacksmiths in medieval society.

The enduring nature of the name can be attributed to its association with industriousness and resilience, traits that were highly valued in historical contexts. A diminutive form, "Ferry," has also been used, though it is less common.

Overall, Ferris embodies a rich linguistic and cultural heritage that highlights its significance throughout history.

Famous people named Ferris

In this section, you will find notable people named Ferris. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Ferris who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Ferris who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Ferris Bueller is a fictional character best known for the film Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

Ferris Fain is a former professional baseball player best known for playing in Major League Baseball.

Ferris Jabr is a writer best known for his work in The New Yorker and other publications.

Fictional characters named Ferris

The following list of fictional characters named Ferris is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Ferris Bueller is a fictional character from the film Ferris Bueller's Day Off. He is a charismatic high school student who skips school for a day of adventure in Chicago with his friends.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Ferris, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

FinnFelixFionaFloraFreddie

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Ferris. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

FerrinFergusFentonFletcherFitzFitzgeraldFaronFerdinand

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Ferris was first seen in the United States in 1893.

Ferris has ranked as high as #4626 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in Michigan, California, Texas, New York, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Ferris has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Ferris is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Ferris was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Top States for Ferris (2023)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 6
100%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Ferris.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 43 38 5
2024 67 57 10
2023 48 41 7
2022 58 50 8
2021 52 42 10
2020 41 35 6
2019 29 29 0
2018 39 30 9
2017 51 46 5
2016 57 48 9
2015 54 45 9
2014 42 42 0
2013 40 34 6
2012 29 29 0
2011 28 21 7
2010 22 22 0
2009 25 25 0
2008 31 26 5
2007 28 28 0
2006 22 22 0
2005 14 14 0
2004 10 10 0
2003 17 17 0
2002 14 14 0
2001 18 18 0
2000 11 11 0
1999 10 10 0
1998 17 17 0
1997 13 13 0
1996 18 18 0
1995 9 9 0
1994 18 18 0
1993 15 15 0
1992 16 16 0
1991 20 14 6
1990 16 16 0
1989 13 13 0
1988 17 11 6
1987 16 16 0
1986 23 17 6
1985 22 11 11
1984 12 6 6
1983 21 12 9
1982 18 7 11
1981 27 11 16
1980 14 8 6
1979 9 9 0
1978 11 11 0
1977 16 16 0
1976 14 14 0
1975 14 14 0
1974 16 16 0
1973 15 15 0
1972 10 10 0
1971 8 8 0
1970 17 17 0
1969 16 16 0
1968 10 10 0
1967 11 11 0
1966 11 11 0
1965 13 13 0
1964 12 12 0
1963 10 10 0
1962 18 18 0
1961 19 19 0
1960 17 17 0
1959 22 17 5
1958 25 25 0
1957 29 23 6
1956 16 16 0
1955 39 33 6
1954 21 21 0
1953 38 30 8
1952 26 26 0
1951 25 25 0
1950 33 27 6
1949 33 28 5
1948 22 22 0
1947 39 39 0
1946 20 20 0
1945 22 22 0
1944 23 18 5
1943 32 32 0
1942 30 30 0
1941 21 21 0
1940 32 27 5
1939 31 31 0
1938 21 21 0
1937 16 16 0
1936 15 15 0
1935 27 27 0
1934 13 13 0
1933 23 23 0
1932 28 28 0
1931 37 32 5
1930 34 29 5
1929 34 34 0
1928 33 28 5
1927 49 44 5
1926 53 46 7
1925 50 44 6
1924 55 45 10
1923 50 45 5
1922 53 53 0
1921 53 45 8
1920 38 38 0
1919 42 36 6
1918 42 42 0
1917 44 39 5
1916 40 35 5
1915 52 42 10
1914 35 29 6
1913 36 31 5
1912 16 16 0
1911 10 10 0
1910 6 6 0
1908 8 8 0
1907 9 9 0
1905 6 6 0
1904 7 7 0
1902 10 10 0
1900 9 9 0
1896 7 7 0
1895 6 6 0
1894 5 5 0
1893 6 6 0