Vernon

boyFrench (Norman)

Vernon is a boy name of French (Norman), from Gaulish origin, meaning “Place of alder trees”.

MeaningPlace of alder trees
GenderBoy
OriginFrench (Norman), from Gaulish
PronunciationVUR-nun
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inUnited Kingdom, United States

Meaning and origin of Vernon

Vernon began as a Norman surname taken from places in France called Vernon, such as the town in Normandy. The place name comes from a Gaulish word for the alder tree, so it means roughly 'alder grove'. The surname came to England with the Norman aristocracy and became a given name in the nineteenth century, popular in the English-speaking world in the early twentieth.

Is Vernon a religious name?

Vernon is a general name from a place name; it has no religious background.

How popular is Vernon?

Most common in the early twentieth century; rare for babies today.

Gifts with the name Vernon

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Spellings and variants of Vernon

Vern

Names similar to Vernon

More boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Vernon mean?

Vernon means 'Place of alder trees'. It is of French (Norman), from Gaulish origin.

Does Vernon have a religious meaning?

Vernon is a general name from a place name; it has no religious background.

How do you pronounce Vernon?

Vernon is pronounced VUR-nun.

Is Vernon a boy or girl name?

Vernon is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.