The first name Farah

In 2025, 47 girls were named Farah, making it the 778th most popular girls’ name. It peaked in 2009, with 84 births (#483).

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Farah with other names.

In 2025, 164 girls born in the United States were named Farah, the 1,350th most popular girls’ name that year. It was used most in 2012, when 178 were.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

• Farah Boufadene
  Algerian artistic gymnast, born 1999
• Farah Fath
  American actress, born 1984
• Farah Pandith
  American diplomat, born 1968
• Farah Jacques
  Canadian athletics competitor, born 1990
• Farah Mohamed
  Canadian women's rights activist, born 1970
• Farah Khan Ali
  Gemologist, born 1969

• Layla
• Aaliyah
• Lyla
• Maryam
• Fatima
• Aisha
• Leila
• Laila
• Amira
• Zahra
• Amina
• Lila
• Aliyah
• Khadija
• Yasmin
• Ayesha

All 218 names of Arabic origin

What does the name Farah mean?

Farah means “joy” in Arabic.

What is the origin of the name Farah?

Borrowed from Arabic فَرَح (faraḥ, “joy”).

How popular is the name Farah?

In 2025, 47 girls born in England and Wales were named Farah, ranking 778th. Its peak was 2009, with 84 births.

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

Mostly a girl's name: 98% of the 6,376 US babies named Farah since 1880 were girls.

When was Farah most popular?

2012 in the United States, when 178 babies were named Farah, its highest rank at 1,324th.

How do you pronounce Farah?

Farah is /ˈfærə/, 2 syllables.

Is Farah also a surname?

Yes. Farah is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.