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Ferris

♂ Boy

Pronounced FAIR-is /ˈfɛər.ɪs/High

Meaning: Rocky spur; iron; from Scottish Gaelic Fearghus (man + choice/strength) anglicized as Ferris, or from Irish meaning iron-worker/blacksmithMedium

In 30 seconds: A Celtic surname meaning 'rocky spur' or related to Ferguson (man of strength). Known primarily through Ferris Bueller — the free-spirited teen who took the greatest sick day in movie history.

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Origin MediumIrish, Scottish

MeaningRocky spur; iron; from Scottish Gaelic Fearghus (man + choice/strength) anglicized as Ferris, or from Irish meaning iron-worker/blacksmith

U.S. rank (2025)#3149 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births38 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,836

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Ferris may be an anglicization of Scottish Gaelic Fearghus (man + strength/choice) via the surname Ferguson/Ferris, or from Irish Gaelic related to iarann (iron). As a given name it is driven primarily by the cultural legacy of Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986).

Ferris ranked #2446 for boys in 2024. Its use reflects the enduring cultural impact of the 1986 film.

Did you know? Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) is John Hughes's love letter to Chicago — the film uses the Art Institute, Wrigley Field, and the city's streets as co-stars. Director's commentary reveals that Ferris was chosen because it felt 'vaguely English and school-appropriate without being obviously posh.'

Overall data confidence 79%

U.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

FergusonFergus

Nicknames

Fer

Famous Bearers

★Ferris Bueller (fictional)
The free-spirited, ingenious high school student protagonist of John Hughes's Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986), played by Matthew Broderick.

If you like Ferris…

Lennon— film-associated surname name with the same cultural-tribute feel

Brody— two-syllable surname name with the same casual breezy quality

Keaton— Buster Keaton — another film-comedy legend's surname used as a first name

Sloane— preppy surname name in the same surname-to-first-name tradition

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ferris mean?

Ferris possibly means 'rocky spur' or relates to Ferguson (man of strength), from Scottish/Irish Gaelic roots.

How do you pronounce Ferris?

It's said FAIR-is /ˈfɛər.ɪs/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Ferris a boy or girl name?

Ferris is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Ferris?

Ferris ranked #2446 for U.S. boys in 2024.