Ferrel Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Ferrel has Irish origins, derived from the Gaelic O'Fearghail, meaning 'descendant of a brave man'. It evolved through historical forms like O'Fearghail and Fearghal. The name reflects traits of bravery and valor, with no significant biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly in the United States, and is currently viewed as unique with a strong cultural connection.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Ferrel"
Pronunciation
/ˈfɛrəl/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
The name Ferrel is derived from the Gaelic surname O'Fearghail, which means 'descendant of Fearghal', with 'Fearghal' meaning 'man of valor'.
Meaning
brave man
Language Evolution
O'Fearghail, Fearghal, Ferrel
Historical Usage
The name Ferrel gained popularity in Ireland and among Irish diaspora communities, particularly in the United States, during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Variants & Derivatives
Ferral, Feral, Ferrell
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name Ferrel is perceived as unique and has a strong connection to Irish heritage.
Famous People
Ferrel Smith (American musician), Ferrel McHugh (Irish politician)
📊 Ferrel Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Ferrel Name Visualizations
✨ Ferrel Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 19 peak births in 1923
Geographic Spread
Popular across 1 US states, with strongest presence in Arkansas
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 5 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Ferrel"
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 "Ferrel"
"Ferrel" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2767th of 7545 | 143 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2516th of 6773 | 168 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4091st of 7552 | 66 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 6965th of 9107 | 17 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 9204th of 9204 | 5 |
Regional Popularity of "Ferrel" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
96.75% 2289th/2366 |
- |
| 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) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Ferrel" 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 "Ferrel"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Ferrel" 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.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Ferrel" in the United States
The name Ferrel is most popular in Arkansas, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Ferrel has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Ferrel' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2767th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2516th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4091st out of 7552 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 6965th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 9204th out of 9204 names. Discover how the name 'Ferrel' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.