Baby Name of the Day: Ferdinand

The baby name Ferdinand counts as a classic in most European languages, but has been terribly neglected in English.

Thanks to Elisabeth for suggesting as our Baby Name of the Day.

WHAT DOES THE NAME FERDINAND MEAN?

Take the Germanic frith or fridu, meaning peace or protection, and add nanth, meaning boldness, daring, or even journey and the result is Ferdinand. 

Sometimes that’s interpreted as “eager for peace,” but the elements alone are appealing, too.

The Germanic name was Latinized into something like Ferdenandus. Visigoths brought the name to Spain and Portugal, where it continued to evolve. It also became a royal name for the Habsburgs in Austria. 

By the 1500s, Ferdinand spread across much of Europe.

FAMOUS FERDINANDS

The list of notables answering to this name is long. Really long. It starts with Spanish royals, and then spreads well beyond.

• During the 11th century, a king of Castile and León answered to Ferdinand. More royals following in Castile and León, as well as Portugal by the 14th century, Aragon and Naples in the 15th and 16th centuries.
• In 1556, Ferdinand I became the Holy Roman Emperor. Two of his successors would also answer to the name.
• More royals and aristocrats followed, in Parma and Tuscany, Romania and Bulgaria, and even Denmark.
• Two saints wore the name.
• Famous explorer Ferdinand Magellan was born Fernão de Magalhães in Portugal. In 1519, he and his crew set out to circumnavigate the world. While the trip was a success, Magellan did not survive the journey. 
• On a literary note, Shakespeare chose Ferdinand as the name of King Alonso’s son in The Tempest. Prince Ferdinand falls madly in love with Miranda in the story. 
• The moon of Uranus are mostly named for Shakespeare’s characters, including Portia, Rosalind, Oberon, Puck, and Ferdinand.

Moving into more recent(ish) history:

• Ferdinand von Zeppelin founded the airship company.
• Ferdinand Porsche, Sr. designed the original Volkswagon Beetle. His son, known as Ferry Porsche, also designed cars, including the high performance racers that we know as Porsches today.
• Early jazz innovator Jelly Roll Morton was born Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe.

FRANZ FERDINAND

Then there’s Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

Born in 1863, he was the heir presumptive to the throne of Austria-Hungary. He and his wife, Sophie, were assasinated in 1914 by Bosnian separatists.

Their deaths ultimately sparked the first World War. 

We learn that in our history books.

Indie rockers Franz Ferdinand took their band name from the historical figure. Their 2004 hit “Take Me Out” launched their careers and ensured a new generation of future parents recognized the name. 

MUNRO LEAF’S FERDINAND

Of course, parents have known Ferdinand as a staple in children’s literature far longer.

Penned in 1936, The Story of Ferdinand tells of a bull who preferred flowers to fights. Even when confronted with the matador, he simply sat down in the middle of the arena and blissed out on the scent of the roses tucked into the senoritas’ hairstyles.

Author Munro Leaf may not have intended it as political, but it was read as such, banned in many countries in Europe.

American families embraced it, and it became a 1930s hit. Disney made a short film based on the bull. More adaptations and expansions of his story followed. The story remains widely-read and the character often referenced in pop culture.

Most recently, a feature-length animated film based on the book was produced in 2017.

FORMS OF FERDINAND

As the name traveled across time and language, more forms developed. Nicknames, too. They include:

• Ferdinando, an Italian form
• Ferdie and Ferdy, obvious nickname options
• Worth noting: Freddie could work every bit as well
• Fernand in French
• Fernando in Spanish, quite popular and the title of a hit ABBA song
• Fernão, the Portuguese form
• Ferran, a Spanish variant made famous by footballer Ferran Torres
• Ferrante, an Italian surname that started out as a medieval equivalent of French Ferrand
• Ferre, Ferry, more nickname options
• Hernando, a medieval Spanish spin-off of the original
• Hernán, a shortened form of Hernando
• Nando, another obvious nickname choice, now associated with the South African restaurant chain known for their Portuguese-style grilled chicken

HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME FERDINAND?

In the United States, the baby name Ferdinand has never really been common. It was most popular in the late 19th century. It exited the US Top 1000 entirely after 1971. Just 24 boys were named Ferdinand in 2025.

Fernando ranked #387 in 2025. It’s the far more familiar version of the name for American parents. 

UNDISCOVERED CLASSIC

With a meaning strongly associated with courage and bravery, but also peace, Ferdinand could have some appeal. We love long names for boys like Sebastian and Oliver, names with a hint of little gentleman about them. 

A bonus? Drop the -nand and nickname Ferdy or even Ferry seems nicely accessible.

That said, very few parents are considering this traditional name. That might be a bonus.

What do you think of the baby name Ferdinand?

First published on July 22, 2009, this post was revised on May 6, 2012, and again on July 21, 2026.