The story behind Fergus
From Irish or Scottish Gaelic Fearghas. The first element may be related to modern fìor (“true”) or fear (“man”) (cf. Fearchar). The second element has been understood to mean 'choice' (cf. Angus). Thus the name means either "most chosen one" or "chosen man".
Pronunciation
General-American: /ˈfɝɡəs/
Regional pronunciation variants
- Ireland, Scotland: /ˈfɛɹɡəs/
- Received-Pronunciation: /ˈfɜːɡəs/
Popularity
Fergus ranked #5092 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Fergus
Angus
Anglicized form of Scottish Gaelic Aonghas, perhaps literally "one choice".
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Douglas
Unadapted borrowing from English Douglas. a male given name from Scottish Gaelic, equivalent to English Douglas Borrowed from English Douglas.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Faustas
Learned borrowing from Latin Faustus. Compare German Faust and Latvian Fausts.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Fearghas
From Old Irish Fergus. From Old Irish Fergus.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Feliks
Learned borrowing from Latin Fēlīx.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Festus
From fēstus (“joyful, merry”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Fergus
Alastair
From Scottish Gaelic Alasdair (“Alexander”). Doublet of Alexander.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends R
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Alaster
A male given name from Scottish Gaelic, variant of Alistair.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends R
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Aleister
From Scottish Gaelic Alasdair, from Norman French Alexandre or Latin Alexander, from Ancient Greek Ἀλέξανδρος (Aléxandros), from ἀλέξω (aléxō, “to defend”) + ἀνδρ- (andr-), the…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends R
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Fergus
Alastair
From Scottish Gaelic Alasdair (“Alexander”). Doublet of Alexander.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends R
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Alaster
A male given name from Scottish Gaelic, variant of Alistair.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends R
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Aleister
From Scottish Gaelic Alasdair, from Norman French Alexandre or Latin Alexander, from Ancient Greek Ἀλέξανδρος (Aléxandros), from ἀλέξω (aléxō, “to defend”) + ἀνδρ- (andr-), the…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends R
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length