Ferdinand Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Ferdinand is a Germanic name meaning brave journey or daring adventurer. It has evolved through various languages and forms, retaining its noble connotation. The name has biblical relevance and has been borne by several notable historical figures, contributing to its lasting popularity.
The name Ferdinand is most popular in Louisiana, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Ferdinand has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Ferdinand' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 403rd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 645th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 977th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1212th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2189th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 4450th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 4337th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Ferdinand' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Ferdinand"
Pronunciation
/ˈfɜːrdɪnænd/
Origin
Germanic
Etymology
The name Ferdinand is derived from the Germanic elements 'fardi', meaning journey, and 'nanth', meaning brave or daring.
Meaning
Brave journey or daring adventurer.
Language Evolution
Ferdinandus (Latin), Ferdinand (Old High German), Ferdinando (Italian), Fernando (Spanish), Ferdinand (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Ferdinand gained popularity in medieval Europe, particularly through royal connections and notable figures such as Ferdinand I of Austria and Ferdinand II of Aragon in the 15th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Fernando, Ferdinando, Ferd, Ferdi
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, the name Ferdinand is viewed as classic and noble, often associated with strength and leadership.
Famous People
Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand II of Aragon, a king of Spain, Ferdinand Foch, a French general during World War I
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Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Ferdinand"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Ferdinand"
"Ferdinand" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 403rd of 7545 | 3,503 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 645th of 6773 | 1,673 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 977th of 7552 | 1,106 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1212th of 10718 | 750 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2189th of 16616 | 485 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 4450th of 24088 | 309 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 4337th of 23106 | 281 |
Regional Popularity of "Ferdinand" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
23.59% 334th/1416 |
17.33% 239th/1379 |
28.70% 679th/2366 |
53.33% 609th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
36.29% 561st/1546 |
22.11% 344th/1556 |
37.82% 890th/2353 |
62.51% 967th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
48.09% 1071st/2227 |
23.29% 566th/2430 |
40.87% 1166th/2853 |
60.61% 1682nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
45.18% 1327th/2937 |
21.19% 738th/3483 |
55.91% 1967th/3518 |
32.12% 1299th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
31.55% 1412th/4475 |
- |
29.65% 1873rd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
66.98% 3459th/5164 |
- |
49.12% 3666th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- |
62.40% 2800th/4487 |
70.54% 4812th/6822 |
54.99% 3451st/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Ferdinand" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Ferdinand"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Ferdinand" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.