Is Fennec a boy's or girl's name?

Fennec is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 5 recorded births.

When was Fennec most popular?

Fennec reached its peak popularity in 2022 with 27 births that year. It is currently ranked #6948 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Fennec?

Fennec is currently ranked #6948 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 117 babies since 2015.

Fennec

An uncommon Arabic pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsArabicRising fast Also a pet name

#6948▼ 1825in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A small fox of the species Vulpes zerda, found in the Sahara (excluding the coast) and having distinctive oversized ears.

Fennec is a boy's and girl's baby name of Arabic origin, from the Arabic fanak, meaning 'fox' — specifically the fennec fox (Vulpes zerda), the tiny, enormous-eared desert fox of the Sahara. With its outsized ears for detecting prey underground and a coat perfect for desert heat, the fennec is a creature of remarkable adaptability.

Fennec is an unexpected, charming name for parents drawn to animal names with an exotic, desert-warm flair. Rare enough to feel genuinely original, it carries the whimsy of nature naming with a distinctive North African character.

Compare Fennec with another name

Popularity Over Time

Fennec has 10+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2015.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Fennec
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	77	#6714	▲
2010s	40	#10238	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(10 years, 2015–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Fennec
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	12	#6948	-7 (-36.8%)
2023	19	#5123	-8 (-29.6%)
2022	27	#4020	+14 (107.7%)
2021	13	#6438	+7 (116.7%)
2020	6	#11041	-10 (-62.5%)
2019	16	#5639	+9 (128.6%)
2018	7	#10006	0
2017	7	#10036	+2 (40.0%)
2016	5	#12830	0
2015	5	#12679	—

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Fennec as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Fennec has also been given to 5 girls in the U.S. since 2023.

Unranked

Current rank

Total births

2023

Peak year

Compare Fennec as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Fennec be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Fennec is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #6948. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Fennec has two lives

Fennec, the baby name

#6948boys

117 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (2015–2024) · Methodology