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Ferne

Girl name · 111 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Ferne: 111 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 14 births in 2021.

Ferne is a gentle nature name derived from the Old English *fearn*, referring to the fern plant. It shares its root with the surname Fern and the word itself, evoking the lush, green undergrowth of woodland glades. The name gained modern visibility through English television presenter Fearne Cotton, who uses the phonetic spelling, and reality star Ferne McCann. While no major places bear the name directly, the fern is a symbol of sincerity and fascination in Victorian flower language. Ferne remains a rare but charming choice, offering a softer, greener alternative to more common floral names like Rose or Lily. Its spelling variant Fearne is more frequently used in England, while Ferne is the rarer form.

Girl 15 of 52 years

Peak year
202114 babies
Latest (2025)
#3878 babies
Total births
111since 1992
5-year trend
≈ stablevs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2021 · 14
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).