Find out how popular the first name Verne has been for the last 17 years (from 1974 to 1990) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Verne by gender

Based on the last 17 years of data, Verne is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1990, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Verne.

The history of the first name Verne

The name Verne is a French masculine given name derived from the Old French word "vern," meaning "alder tree." The alder tree was a significant plant in ancient Celtic culture, and the name likely originated from this background. The earliest recorded use of the name Verne dates back to the Middle Ages, around the 12th century, primarily in areas of France and neighboring regions.

One of the earliest known references to the name Verne can be found in the epic poem "La Chanson de Roland" (The Song of Roland), a masterpiece of Old French literature from the 11th century. The poem mentions a character named Verne, though historical details about this individual remain scarce.

During the Renaissance period, the name Verne gained popularity among French nobility and aristocracy. One notable figure was Verne de Marseille (1510-1568), a French poet and playwright renowned for his works in the Occitan language.

In the 19th century, the name Verne became globally famous thanks to the influential French novelist Jules Verne (1828-1905), widely regarded as the father of science fiction. His groundbreaking novels, such as "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" and "Around the World in Eighty Days," captivated readers worldwide and popularized the name Verne across various cultures.

Another prominent individual with the name Verne was Verne E. Boston (1906-1991), an American civil rights activist and lawyer who played a crucial role in the desegregation of public schools in the United States. His legal efforts and advocacy were instrumental in the historic Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education in 1954.

More recently, Verne Troyer (1969-2018) was an American actor and comedian best known for his role as Mini-Me in the Austin Powers film series. Despite his short stature, Troyer had a successful career in Hollywood and became a recognizable figure in popular culture.

While the name Verne has its roots in French culture and language, it has transcended geographical boundaries and continues to be used globally, often as a homage to the influential writer Jules Verne or as a nod to the natural world and the alder tree's symbolism.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Verne was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Verne, please contact us.

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