boy's name
Fergal
FUR-gul (English)
- Origin Irish
- Gender Boy
- Syllables 2
- Letters 6
- Popularity Uncommon
- Births on record 3,239
Fergal is an Irish boy's name meaning "brave man" or "man of valor," from the Old Irish elements fer, "man," and gal, "valor." It's an old royal name in Ireland, and it remains the anglicized spelling of the modern Irish form Fearghal.
- Fergal is a name of Irish origin.
- Peaked in Ireland in 1972, when 170 babies were given the name.
- It has been falling over the past decade in Ireland.
- First appears in birth records in 1964.
- 2 syllables, with the stress on syllable 1.
Fergal Over Time
Births per decade in Ireland, 1960s to 2020s. The striped bar is the 2020s, which so far covers 2020 to 2025.
Show the numbers
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 370 |
| 1970s | 1,393 |
| 1980s | 652 |
| 1990s | 339 |
| 2000s | 157 |
| 2010s | 50 |
| 2020s (to 2025) | 11 |
What Fergal Means
Fergal means man of valor. The second element, gal, covers courage and the fury of battle, so the name suggests a fighter's nerve more than quiet bravery.
Where Fergal Comes From
Old Irish fer, man, is a close relative of Latin vir, and gal meant valor or battle rage. Together they formed Fergal, a name that appears among early Irish kings and in the annals, including an eighth-century high king. Irish monks took it abroad as well: an Irish scholar named Fergal became bishop of Salzburg in the eighth century and is remembered in Latin as Saint Virgil. The modern Irish spelling is Fearghal, with Fergal and Feargal the usual English forms. It's distinct from Fergus, which ends in an element meaning strength.
Fergal in Use
Fergal is rarely used outside Ireland. Well-known bearers include broadcaster Fergal Keane and the singer Feargal Sharkey of The Undertones.
How Popular Is Fergal?
In 2023, Fergal was given to 4 babies in Ireland, ranking #660 that year. It is used consistently but remains uncommon.
Where Fergal Is Used
Irish figures withhold any name given to fewer than three babies in a year, so a gap means the name fell below that floor rather than went unused. The Central Statistics Office began recording the síneadh fada in 2018, so accented and unaccented spellings are counted separately from that year on. Data & sources.
Names That Peaked Alongside Fergal
These names rose and fell in the same era, which is why they tend to sound like they belong together.
Parents Who Like Fergal Also Like
Names whose popularity has risen and fallen in step with Fergal over the last century — the same taste, a different name.
How to Say Fergal
- English FUR-gul
Fergal in Other Languages
The same name as it is spelled elsewhere — not shortenings, and not different names that merely sound alike. Each one has its own record here.
Sibling Names for Fergal
Names from the same era that do not rhyme or share an initial with Fergal — the two things that make a sibling set grate.
Common Questions About Fergal
What does the name Fergal mean?
Man of valor, from Old Irish fer, man, and gal, valor.
How do you pronounce Fergal?
FUR-gul, with a hard g.
What is the Irish spelling of Fergal?
Fearghal is the modern Irish form.
How popular is the name Fergal?
In 2023, Fergal was given to 4 babies in Ireland, ranking #660 that year. It is used consistently but remains uncommon.
Is Fergal a girl's or a boy's name?
Fergal is given almost entirely to boys in birth records.
How many syllables are in Fergal?
Fergal has 2 syllables.
When was Fergal most popular?
Fergal peaked in 1972, when 170 babies were given the name. It has been falling over the past decade.
Is Fergal a good name?
That is not something records can settle, but they can tell you what you would be choosing. Fergal currently ranks #2,682 in Ireland. It has been falling over the past decade. Everything else — how it sounds with your surname, who it reminds you of — is yours.