English place name from Old English 'fearn' (fern) and 'leah' (meadow clearing).
Fernley is an English place name formed from Old English fearn, meaning fern, and leah, meaning meadow or clearing. The result is an image of a fern-filled opening in the land, which gives the name a natural and quietly pastoral foundation.
As a first name, Fernley feels calm, green, and grounded. It has a surname or place-name feel that makes it sound a little formal, but also approachable and rooted in the landscape. The name is rare enough to feel distinctive while still having the stability of recognizable English elements.