Fox Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name 'Fox' has its roots in Old English, meaning 'cunning' or 'clever'. Over time, it evolved through Middle English before becoming common in modern English. It reflects traits of intelligence and adaptability, while not having a biblical association. The name has become widely recognized and embraced in contemporary culture, with notable figures bearing the name.
The name Fox is most popular in Oregon, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West 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, Fox has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, falling 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, 'Fox' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 6076th out of 6773 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 8705th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2094th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 941st out of 23106 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 11271st out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Fox' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Fox"
Pronunciation
/fɒks/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name 'Fox' originates from the Old English word 'fox', which referred to the animal known for its cunning nature. The term has been used as a surname and given name since medieval times.
Meaning
cunning, clever
Language Evolution
Old English: fox, Middle English: foxe, Modern English: Fox
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity as both a surname and given name in England during the medieval period, particularly among families known for their cleverness or resourcefulness.
Variants & Derivatives
Foxx, Fuchs (German), Fou (French)
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, the name Fox carries connotations of cleverness and adaptability. It is perceived positively in popular culture, often associated with intelligence and agility.
Famous People
J. Fox (Michael J. Fox), Fox Mulder (fictional character from The X-Files), Dylan Fox (professional athlete)
Explore More Fox Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Fox"
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 "Fox"
"Fox" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 6076th of 6773 | 10 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 8705th of 16616 | 47 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 2094th of 24088 | 941 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 941st of 23106 | 2,757 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 11271st of 30306 | 97 |
Regional Popularity of "Fox" by Generation for Male 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) |
- | - | - |
63.94% 4039th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
60.28% 2762nd/4582 |
57.15% 2951st/5164 |
34.71% 2538th/7313 |
22.74% 1697th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
22.97% 915th/3984 |
26.23% 1177th/4487 |
16.75% 1143rd/6822 |
11.58% 727th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Fox" 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 "Fox"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Fox" 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.