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Ferrell
Pronounced FAIR-ul /หfษr.ษl/Medium
Meaning: Ferrell is an Irish surname, an anglicization of O Fearghail, from fear ('man') and gal ('valor, courage') - so 'man of valor.' As a given name it belongs to the American tradition of turning Irish surnames into first names for boys.Medium
Popularity in the U.S. ยท SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880โpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Ferrell anglicizes the Irish O Fearghail, 'descendant of Fearghal,' a personal name built from fear ('man') and gal ('valor'). Carried to America as a surname, it moved naturally into use as a first name, especially across the South.
As a given name Ferrell runs from the late nineteenth century into the twenty-first, cresting around the nineteen-thirties and always uncommon, at only a few dozen boys in its best year. It reads as a rugged, dependable surname-name.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Ferrell mean?
Ferrell is an Irish surname from O Fearghail, meaning 'man of valor,' from the words for 'man' and 'courage.'
How do you pronounce Ferrell?
It's said FAIR-ul /หfษr.ษl/ โ two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Ferrell a boy or girl name?
Ferrell is used as a boy's name.
How popular is Ferrell?
Ferrell was always uncommon, given to only a few dozen boys a year around its nineteen-thirties peak.