What Does the Name Vernon Mean?
Vernon is a boy's name of French origin meaning “place of alders.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Vernon |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | French |
| Meaning | place of alders |
| Variants | Vern, Verne, Vernard |
| Popularity | Modestly popular in the United States in the early 20th century; now rare. |
The meaning and origin of Vernon
The name Vernon means “place of alders” and has French origins. A transferred use of an English surname taken from places in Normandy called Vernon, ultimately from Gaulish 'verno' meaning alder tree. It came into use as a given name in the 19th century.
Variants and related names
Vernon is related to several other names you may recognize: Vern, Verne, Vernard. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Vernon?
Modestly popular in the United States in the early 20th century; now rare.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Vernon mean?+
The name Vernon means “place of alders” and is of French origin.
What is the origin of the name Vernon?+
Vernon originates from French.
Is Vernon a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Vernon has trended in the US over time.
Vernon by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press