Fox

♀ Girl

Pronounced FOKS /ˈfɑks/High

Meaning: The English word fox, used directly as a name, and also an English surname originally given to a clever or red-haired person. In U.S. use it is more often a boy's name; we note the lean.Medium

In 30 seconds: Fox is a sharp one-beat animal word-name and English surname (said 'FOKS'). More often a boy's name — we note the lean.

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Origin MediumEnglish

MeaningThe English word fox, used directly as a name, and also an English surname originally given to a clever or red-haired person. In U.S. use it is more often a boy's name; we note the lean.

U.S. rank (2024)#13997 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2016

Total births (all-time)≈ 97

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

Fox is the plain English animal word, also an old English surname given to the sly or the red-headed. As a first name it rides the modern taste for short, punchy nature names — Bear, Wolf, Wren. For girls it is rare; the name is used far more often for boys, which we note (said 'FOKS').

For girls it appears only rarely in the U.S., against heavier boys' use. Rare, sharp, and animal-bright.

Did you know? The surname Fox was first a nickname — for someone crafty, or red-haired, or both. As a given name it keeps that quick, clever edge, and it currently leans strongly to boys, which we note (said 'FOKS').

Overall data confidence 55%

References — Fox — English word-name and surname; boys' lean noted

Variations

FoxxFoxeFoxie

Nicknames

FoxyFoxie

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Fox…

Wren— a like one-beat animal word-name

Lark— a like crisp nature pick

Wilder— a like bold modern nature name

Birdie— another animal name with a wink

Explore names like Fox

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Fox mean?

Fox means the animal itself; as a surname it was a nickname for someone clever or red-haired.

How do you pronounce Fox?

It's said FOKS /ˈfɑks/ — one syllable.

Is Fox a boy or girl name?

It is used for both, but far more often for boys in the U.S. — we note the lean clearly.

How popular is Fox?

Fox is rare for girls in the U.S., with much heavier use on the boys' side.