About Abby Sandel

Whether you're naming a baby, or just all about names, you've come to the right place! Appellation Mountain is a haven for lovers of obscure gems and enduring classics alike.

You May Also Like:

What do you think?

20 Comments

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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!

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

    1. 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.

      1. Oh, I know that. 🙂 But I’d never be able to hear Ferguson without thinking of Fergus, and vice versa.

  8. 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

  9. It’s about as cool as Kermit. Um…was that too harsh? That ‘erg’ business is all glottal and weird sounding.