Ferdinand

Ferdinand: name meaning, origin & popularity

Meaning: “brave journey”
Origin: Germanic
Say it: FUR-di-nand · 3 syllables
Used for: Boys

From Germanic elements often interpreted as frithu/fardi and nand, traditionally explained as 'bold voyager' or 'brave journey'. It has long royal use in Spain and Central Europe.

Spanish names German names English names Names meaning brave Names meaning warrior Classic names Royal names International names

How popular is Ferdinand?

20248.4 per million US babies

Drag the line or the slider to read any year. Values are per million US births recorded by Social Security. Records before about 1937 undercount births, so early peaks can look taller than they were.

Compare with another name

Babies named Ferdinand in 202428

2024 rank#3,883 boys

Peak year1884

Total US babies since 18808,885

Ferdinand is steady now but far below its 1884 peak.

Names like Ferdinand

Variants, related forms and names with the same roots.

Fernandobrave journey · Spanish
Williamresolute protector · Germanic
Henryhome ruler · Germanic
Charlesfree man · Germanic
Milessoldier or merciful · Germanic
Robertbright fame · Germanic
Milogracious; dear · Germanic
Luisfamous warrior · Germanic

Ferdinand questions

What does the name Ferdinand mean?

Ferdinand means "brave journey". It comes from Germanic. From Germanic elements often interpreted as frithu/fardi and nand, traditionally explained as 'bold voyager' or 'brave journey'. It has long royal use in Spain and Central Europe.

Is Ferdinand a boy or girl name?

Ferdinand is mainly a boy's name in US records (100% of uses since 1880).

How popular is Ferdinand?

28 US babies were named Ferdinand in 2024. Its peak year was 1884.

How do you pronounce Ferdinand?

Ferdinand is usually pronounced FUR-di-nand.

Birth counts: US Social Security Administration national data, 1880–2024 (names given to 5+ babies of a sex in a year). How we write meanings.