Vernon Boy

Popularity: #805 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: VER-nun //ˈvɜrnən//

Origin: French; English

Meaning: French: 'alder tree'; English: 'from the place of the alders'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Vernon has its roots in the Old French word "vernon," which means "alder tree." This term is derived from the Latin "vernus," meaning "spring-like" or "of spring," which is related to the word "ver" for spring. The name entered the English language during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, as many Old French names and terms were adopted into English.

The earliest recorded use of Vernon as a surname in England dates back to the 12th century, often associated with locations named Vernon in Normandy, France, which were brought to England by the Normans. Historically, the name Vernon became notable through various figures, including the 17th-century English poet and playwright, Sir William Vernon, and later through the prominent Vernon family, which included several members who served in the English Parliament.

The name also appears in literature and historical texts, contributing to its recognition in English-speaking cultures. Notably, the name was used in the 19th century by the British author and poet, George Meredith, in his works, further embedding it in the literary tradition.

Culturally, Vernon has been associated with strength and resilience, symbolized by the alder tree, which is known for its ability to thrive in wet conditions. This connection to nature has given the name a sense of grounding and stability throughout its history.

Additionally, the diminutive form "Vern" has emerged as a familiar variant, though it is less commonly used in formal contexts. Overall, the name Vernon carries a rich historical and cultural significance, reflecting its linguistic origins and the various notable figures who have borne it.

Famous people named Vernon

In this section, you will find notable people named Vernon. 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 Vernon who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Vernon 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.

Vernon Jordan is a civil rights activist and lawyer best known for his work with the National Urban League, his role as an advisor to President Bill Clinton, and his advocacy for African American rights.

Vernon Wells is an actor best known for his roles in The Road Warrior, Commando, and Weird Science.

Vernon Reid is a guitarist and songwriter best known for his work with the band Living Colour, and for his contributions to rock and funk music.

Fictional characters named Vernon

The following list of fictional characters named Vernon 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.

Vernon Dursley is a fictional character from the book series Harry Potter. He is the uncle of Harry Potter and represents the neglectful and abusive side of his upbringing.

Vernon V. Voss is a fictional character from the animated series The Amazing World of Gumball. He is a classmate of Gumball and is known for his quirky personality and humorous antics.

Sibling suggestions

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

VictorVincentVanceVioletVanessaValerie

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Vernon. 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.

VernVanceVitoVaughnVictorVinnyVidalViggo

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Vernon was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Vernon has ranked as high as #152 nationally, which occurred in 1920, and has been most popular in Texas, Illinois, California, Ohio, and Missouri.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Vernon 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 Vernon was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

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 Vernon.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 133 133 0
2024 112 112 0
2023 107 107 0
2022 118 118 0
2021 125 125 0
2020 80 80 0
2019 115 115 0
2018 103 103 0
2017 115 115 0
2016 111 111 0
2015 106 106 0
2014 123 123 0
2013 113 113 0
2012 118 118 0
2011 118 118 0
2010 138 138 0
2009 115 115 0
2008 137 137 0
2007 151 151 0
2006 146 146 0
2005 136 136 0
2004 147 147 0
2003 174 174 0
2002 176 176 0
2001 184 184 0
2000 196 196 0
1999 214 214 0
1998 216 216 0
1997 234 234 0
1996 255 255 0
1995 237 237 0
1994 277 277 0
1993 306 306 0
1992 323 323 0
1991 383 383 0
1990 394 394 0
1989 408 408 0
1988 463 463 0
1987 494 488 6
1986 447 447 0
1985 554 547 7
1984 560 552 8
1983 559 559 0
1982 585 573 12
1981 631 631 0
1980 713 707 6
1979 636 631 5
1978 629 622 7
1977 701 695 6
1976 659 649 10
1975 700 690 10
1974 759 752 7
1973 800 790 10
1972 876 865 11
1971 953 942 11
1970 1,099 1,086 13
1969 1,080 1,069 11
1968 1,157 1,143 14
1967 1,141 1,141 0
1966 1,298 1,284 14
1965 1,358 1,358 0
1964 1,575 1,568 7
1963 1,586 1,572 14
1962 1,691 1,673 18
1961 1,791 1,771 20
1960 1,849 1,830 19
1959 1,806 1,790 16
1958 1,943 1,927 16
1957 1,992 1,976 16
1956 2,076 2,057 19
1955 2,051 2,035 16
1954 2,115 2,097 18
1953 2,083 2,059 24
1952 2,097 2,082 15
1951 2,126 2,104 22
1950 2,023 2,006 17
1949 1,968 1,951 17
1948 2,055 2,034 21
1947 2,140 2,114 26
1946 1,979 1,966 13
1945 1,947 1,936 11
1944 1,938 1,924 14
1943 2,119 2,093 26
1942 2,126 2,103 23
1941 1,996 1,976 20
1940 1,957 1,941 16
1939 2,011 1,994 17
1938 1,970 1,958 12
1937 2,095 2,076 19
1936 2,052 2,028 24
1935 2,141 2,112 29
1934 2,259 2,227 32
1933 2,234 2,206 28
1932 2,454 2,428 26
1931 2,511 2,465 46
1930 2,744 2,703 41
1929 2,716 2,683 33
1928 2,898 2,852 46
1927 2,907 2,852 55
1926 3,004 2,953 51
1925 2,966 2,912 54
1924 3,061 3,008 53
1923 3,003 2,956 47
1922 3,067 3,003 64
1921 3,123 3,069 54
1920 3,199 3,144 55
1919 2,990 2,929 61
1918 3,020 2,971 49
1917 2,513 2,463 50
1916 2,329 2,288 41
1915 2,105 2,060 45
1914 1,477 1,455 22
1913 1,175 1,143 32
1912 912 889 23
1911 425 418 7
1910 368 351 17
1909 300 284 16
1908 298 285 13
1907 236 222 14
1906 231 223 8
1905 222 208 14
1904 192 178 14
1903 190 179 11
1902 188 175 13
1901 137 129 8
1900 186 170 16
1899 140 130 10
1898 150 143 7
1897 163 152 11
1896 144 129 15
1895 142 131 11
1894 139 131 8
1893 112 112 0
1892 115 108 7
1891 105 96 9
1890 89 83 6
1889 83 73 10
1888 78 78 0
1887 79 79 0
1886 73 73 0
1885 76 71 5
1884 50 50 0
1883 46 46 0
1882 53 53 0
1881 62 57 5
1880 56 56 0

Top States for Vernon (2024)

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
OH 10
19%
MI 7
13%
CA 6
11%
WI 6
11%
MN 5
9%
TN 5
9%
TX 5
9%
VA 5
9%
WA 5
9%