Back to Baby Names

Ferry

Pronunciation: [ f-EHR-ee ]

Girl Name #65,092 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables 5 Letters

A rare name evoking water crossings and journeys

English Dutch Contemporary
Unique Vintage Earthy Whimsical Bold

Meaning & Origin

"to carry across water, journey maker"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
"peaceful ruler (Dutch form from Ferdinand)"
Origin: Germanic
Language: Dutch

Browse names with similar meanings:

Names meaning peace Names meaning ruler

The Story of Ferry

Ferry derives from the Old English 'ferian' and Old Norse 'ferja,' meaning to carry or convey across water. A ferryman was one of the essential workers of pre-bridge civilization, carrying people and goods across rivers and straits. As a given name, Ferry is used primarily as a Dutch male name (from Frederic), but as an English name for a girl it evokes water, journeys, and the romance of crossing. It's part of a growing category of occupational and nautical names.

Ferry as a girl's name is extremely rare in English-speaking countries, making it a genuinely distinctive choice. The Dutch masculine form Ferry (short for Ferdinand or Frederic) is more established in the Netherlands and Belgium. In the English-speaking world, Ferry as a first name is a bold, unusual choice for parents drawn to water imagery.

Ferries have profound cultural significance as connectors between places — from the historic Staten Island Ferry to the mythology of Charon ferrying souls across the River Styx. A name that carries the meaning of 'crossing over' has a poetic, journey-oriented resonance.

Fun Facts

  • In Greek mythology, Charon the ferryman carried souls across the River Styx to the underworld — one of antiquity's most iconic figures
  • The Dutch name Ferry (from Ferdinand) means 'brave journey,' adding a travel-related meaning to the water crossing imagery

Ferry in Other Languages

Dutch Ferry
French Ferry
German Ferry
Old English Ferian

Popularity Over Time

#65,092
Current Rank
Rare
Trend
Hidden Gem Based on SSA data 1880–present
Compare Ferry with other names →

Famous People Named Ferry

F

Ferry Corsten

Musician

1973

Dutch electronic music DJ and producer known for his trance music and collaborations with Tiësto

B

Bryan Ferry

Musician

1945

British singer-songwriter and founder of the art rock band Roxy Music, known for Slave to Love and More Than This

Quick Facts

Gender
Girl
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#65,092
Total SSA Count
5
Cultural Origins
English Dutch Contemporary
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease
High

Common Nicknames

Fer
See all nicknames for Ferry →

Middle Name Ideas

Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style

See all middle names for Ferry →

Sibling Names

Harbor Bay River Sailor Cove Marina Brook
See all sibling names for Ferry →

Sibling Match Premium

Check how Ferry fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.

Up to 3 sibling names, comma-separated.

Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.

Also a Boy Name

Ferry is also used as a boy name, ranked #32658.

View Ferry as a boy name →

Similar Names

See all names like Ferry →
Flame Girl Latin flamma via Old French

Compare Ferry with...

Ferry vs Flame

Same Origin Names (English)

Liam #1 Olivia #1 Noah #2 Emma #2 Oliver #3 Amelia #3 Theodore #4 Charlotte #4

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Ferry and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Ferry sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name
Browse more girl names →

Explore More Generators

Frequently Asked Questions About Ferry

What does the name Ferry mean?
"to carry across water, journey maker" (from Old English). "peaceful ruler (Dutch form from Ferdinand)" (from Germanic). Ferry derives from the Old English 'ferian' and Old Norse 'ferja,' meaning to carry or convey across water. A ferryman was one of the essential workers of pre-bridge civilization, carrying people and goods across rivers and straits. As a given name, Ferry is used primarily as a Dutch male name (from Frederic), but as an English name for a girl it evokes water, journeys, and the romance of crossing. It's part of a growing category of occupational and nautical names.
What is the origin of the name Ferry?
Ferry has Old English, Germanic, English, Dutch, and Contemporary origins. In Old English, it means "to carry across water, journey maker". In Germanic, it means "peaceful ruler (Dutch form from Ferdinand)".
Is Ferry a boy or girl name?
Ferry is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #65092. As a boy name, it is ranked #32658. Ferry is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Ferry?
Ferry is pronounced f-EHR-ee.
How popular is the name Ferry?
Ferry is currently ranked #65092 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ferry?
Common nicknames for Ferry include Fer.
What are good middle names for Ferry?
Popular middle name pairings include Ferry Grace, Ferry Jean, Ferry Anne, Ferry Rose, Ferry Lane, Ferry Mae, and Ferry Lynn.
What are good sibling names for Ferry?
Names that pair well with Ferry as siblings include Harbor, Bay, River, Sailor, Cove, Marina, and Brook.
How many syllables does Ferry have?
Ferry has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Ferry a common or rare name?
Ferry is an uncommon name, ranked #65092 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Ferry

Ferry is a girl name with English, Dutch, and Contemporary origins . The name means "to carry across water, journey maker" in Old English .

Is Ferry a boy or girl name? Ferry is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #65,092 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #32,658. Ferry is more commonly used as a boy name.

Ferry is currently ranked #65,092 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Ferry has 2 syllables and is pronounced f-EHR-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Ferry include Fer. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Explore Name Lists

Most Popular Girl Names Rising Girl Names Unique Girl Names Short Girl Names
5-Letter Names Short Names (3–4 letters) Long Names (7+ letters)