Fretting that Finn has become too popular? Still looking for an authentic Celtic choice that wears well in the US?
Thanks to Corinne for suggesting one that would fit the bill. Our Name of the Day is Fergus.
You probably won’t meet a little boy answering to Fergus any time soon. Not in the US, at least – Fergus has never cracked the US Top 1000.
But with Gus gaining, parents are considering many formal name options that contain the element, from Angus and August to Magnus and, yes, Fergus.
There’s much to like about Fergus besides his kid-friendly status as one of Thomas’ fellow engines on the Island of Sodor.
The Gaelic -gus means vigor; the first element means man. So Fergus – or Fearghas or Fearghus – implies strength and derring do. Plenty of figures from legend and history lived up to the name, including:
- Fergus mac Leda, a King of Ulster;
- Fergus mac Róich held the same office;
- Fergus Dubdétach was High King of Ireland for about a year. (A few versions give him a much longer reign.) His two brothers were also named Fergus;
- Fergus Fortamail is said to have ruled as a High King of Ireland for more than a decade sometime between the third and fourth centuries;
- Fergus the Great, also known as Gwrgan the Great or Gurgantius, was a seventh-century king of the Welsh kingdom of Ergyng;
- Saint Fergus was an eighth century Irish bishop who founded churches throughout Scotland. He may have also attended a a council called by Pope Gregory II in 721 – or Fergus the Pict could be another bishop from the era;
- In the eighth century, Fergus mac Echdach ruled a kingdom in western Scotland called Dál Riata.
Some of the Fergi – the saint, for one – can be found in the historical record. Others not so much. The most famous Fergus is also difficult to confirm: Fergus Mór, considered the founder of Scotland, and the common ancestor of all Scottish rulers. When King James held the English and Scottish thrones in the sixteenth century, he referred to himself as a descendant of Fergus.
Fergus also feels rather aristocratic, at least from an American perspective. The late Queen Mother – born Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon – had a brother named Fergus. Several Scottish clan chieftains answer to Fergus today, including both the Macdowell and Matheson chieftains. (Though the Fergusson clan is currently headed by a Charles.)
Fergus remains just outside the Top 100 in Scotland today.
You’ll also find Fergus on the map throughout the English-speaking world, including River Fergus in Ireland.
William Butler Yeats gave the name a literary edge with his poem “Who Goes With Fergus?” James Joyce borrowed Yeats’ work for use in his masterpiece Ulysses.
Overall, Fergus is a little unusual, but could strike just the right note for American parents seeking an offbeat Celtic heritage choice.
It’s about as cool as Kermit. Um…was that too harsh? That ‘erg’ business is all glottal and weird sounding.
I totally agree. Fergus is just unpleasant to me.
To be honest, it really doesn’t appeal to me. I really dislike -gus names. This is the very reason why August isn’t in my list, even though I adore the name
I think everyone knows how much I like Gus and Fergus, while not a love, is a firm like despite Clarissa. Fergus was little brother to “Clarissa explains it All” and wow do I remember all the horrible ways she twisted his name: Ferg-breath, Furg- us (like Fungus) et al. So while I firmly like Fergus (and think he sounds pretty awesome with my surname), He remains on my total favorites list, and none other. Angus & August are more my speed.
I also like Fergus despite Clarissa! I especially like the way it sounds with a Scottish accent. Actually, I think that show may be one of the reasons Fergus isn’t more popular here.
It was Ferguson, though. Not Fergus. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101065/
Oh, I know that.
But I’d never be able to hear Ferguson without thinking of Fergus, and vice versa.
Yes, Lola! Just what I was thinking. My professors would be so disappointed…
Not sure how I feel about it any more.
If Isla had a winkle she’d have been Oscar or Fergus. It’s hardly uncommon here, extremely usable (like Hamish) and a nice alternative to Angus (if the new Mackers burgers put some off) or popular Oscar.
There was an adorable little Fergus on the ferry the other day although he seemed to get “Ferg” almost exclusively.
I like Fergal more but I think that’s asking for trouble.
There’s a wild, little boy who attends my church who’s named Ferguson, which I believe is his mother’s maiden name. It a cute name on him, but not one I’d use on my own child.
While I love the names Gaelic and Celtic names, I can’t use them… the only claim I have to the British Isles is that my ancestors changed ships in Liverpool, before heading on to Quebec.
I MUCH prefer Fergus to Angus! I know that names with an “er” sound tend to land themselves in the unpopular list, but since I call myself a fan of Gertrude and Ernest, I can readily admit Fergus sounds just fine to my ears.
Ohh, yay! I’ve been waiting for this one!
I simply adore Fergus. I’m not ballsy enough to use it as a first name in the USA, but it’s been in one of my combos for at least five years now. Declan Fergus Ralph (Ralph for my grandfather) for all who care.
I also love Angus, but the beef reference really gets people.
I hate Ferguson though: that extra -son ruins the handsomeness of the name!
My first association is the childrens’ book “Good Boy, Fergus” by David Shannon. It’s about a dog. There’s a lot of yelling “Fergus!!!” at the dog, so that’s kind of ruined the name for me.
I think Fergus is kind of cool and spunky. I think it has to be on the right person to actually pull it off though.
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Just looking at this now. Fergus has a great history behind it. But its a bit too similar to fungus for my liking. However iif you like the “Fer” sound, an interesting alternative is Ferdia, also an ancient Irish name, that is quite rare, even in Ireland these days.