NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Fenn

An English name derived from a surname meaning "marsh" or "fen".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Fenn is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Fenn popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2088, with 11 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2006, with 19 births.

This profile covers 272 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 58% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 270 living people in the UK are called Fenn. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Fenn ranked #2088 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 11 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2006, when 19 boys were registered as Fenn.
  • About 270 living people in the UK are estimated to have Fenn as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 91.6% of Fenn registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2088

2024

Births in 2024

11

Latest year

Peak year

2006

19 births

Estimated living

270

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Fenn

In England and Wales birth records, Fenn has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 91.6% of registrations are for boys and 8.4% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

92% boys
Boys272 (91.6%)Girls25 (8.4%)

Fenn registered for boys

  • Ranked #2,088 in 2024
  • 11 boys registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2006 (19 births)

Fenn registered for girls

  • Ranked #4,645 in 2022
  • 4 girls registered in 2022
  • Peak: 1997 (4 births)

Meaning

What does Fenn mean?

The name Fenn is thought to have originated from the Old English word "fenn," which means "marsh" or "fen." This suggests that the name may have been derived from a geographic location or a description of a person's place of residence near a marshy area.

In the Middle Ages, the name Fenn was used as a surname, particularly in England. Some records indicate that the name was also used as a given name during this time period, although it was relatively uncommon.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Fenn as a first name can be found in the 16th century. Fenn Dighton was an English landowner who lived in Gloucestershire in the late 1500s. Historical records from the time mention him as a prominent figure in the local community.

In the 17th century, there was a Fenn Bittleston, who was a merchant and trader in London. He was known for his successful business ventures and his involvement in the city's guild system.

Fenn Shawcross, a British soldier and military officer, served in the British Army during the late 18th century. He participated in several campaigns and battles, including the American Revolutionary War.

In the 19th century, Fenn Hurlbut was an American clergyman and educator. He was involved in the establishment of several educational institutions and was known for his work in promoting education and religious study.

Another notable individual with the name Fenn was Fenn Woodridge, a British artist and painter who lived in the early 20th century. His works were exhibited in various galleries and museums across Europe, and he gained recognition for his landscape paintings and portraits.

While the name Fenn was not as common as some other names throughout history, it has been used sporadically across different cultures and time periods. The name's connection to the natural environment and its potential geographic origins make it a unique and interesting choice for a given name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Fenn over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Fenn in England and Wales, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Fenn, the clearest high point is 2006. The latest England and Wales figure is 11 births in 2024, compared with 19 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
05101419199620102024

Decades

Fenn by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Fenn was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #2360 50 5
2010s #2166 100 10
2000s #1682 106 10
1990s #2425 16 4

Related

Names similar to Fenn

FAQ

Fenn: questions and answers

How popular is the name Fenn in the UK right now?

In 2024, Fenn was ranked #2088 for boys in England and Wales, with 11 births registered.

When was Fenn most popular?

The peak year on record was 2006, with 19 babies registered as Fenn in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Fenn?

An English name derived from a surname meaning "marsh" or "fen".

How many people are called Fenn in the UK?

A total of 272 babies have been registered as Fenn across the 29 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.