Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Farrah
GirlArabic, English· “joy, happiness”
- Meaning
- joy, happiness
- Origin
- Arabic, English
- Pronunciation
- FEHR-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,328
- US babies 2025
- 168
- Best rank
- #177 (1977)
- Peak year
- 1977
Meaning and origin of Farrah
Farrah is an Arabic and English name that is usually said to mean “joy, happiness”.
Farrah is often connected with the Arabic farah, meaning joy or happiness, and in English it may also come from the surname Farrar, originally an occupational name for an ironworker or farrier. Actress Farrah Fawcett, star of Charlie's Angels, made the name famous in the United States, and her iconic hairstyle became a symbol of the era. Farrah is also used in South Asian and Middle Eastern communities, where Farah is the usual spelling. The name feels warm and glamorous, and it is easy to spell and pronounce.
Other spellings with the same sound: Farah.
Popularity over time
Farrah first appears in US Social Security records in 1968. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 14 different years, starting in 1976. Its best national rank was #177 in 1977, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,515 babies. In 2025, 168 babies were named Farrah, and it ranked #1,328 nationally. That is 53% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #894 in 1980, #1,543 in 2000, #551 in 2010, and #1,328 in 2025. Of the 12,156 US girls named Farrah since records began, 31% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 3,039 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Aisha, Shanna, Lakisha, Kizzy, and Amie.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Farrah ranked highest in Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Indiana.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | #618 | 8 |
| Pennsylvania | #779 | 12 |
| Indiana | #957 | 6 |
| Ohio | #1064 | 8 |
| Arizona | #1114 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Farrah is usually pronounced FEHR-uh, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with F and ends in “-ah”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Farah.
Middle names for Farrah
A few middle names that flow with Farrah: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Farrah
Similar names
Laylah Girl
LAY-luh
“night” · Arabic
#1,254
Aliah Girl
uh-LEE-uh
“variant of Aaliyah; exalted” · Arabic
#1,192
Jannah Girl
JA-nuh
“paradise, garden” · Arabic
#1,520
Amber Girl
AM-ber
“amber, fossil resin” · English
#520
Lilah Girl
LY-luh
“uncertain; linked to Lila and night” · Hebrew
#179
Nylah Girl
NY-luh
“uncertain; modern name” · American (modern coinage)
#504
Alayah Girl
uh-LAY-uh
“exalted” · Arabic
#412
Aleah Girl
uh-LEE-uh
“exalted” · Arabic
#965
Lylah Girl
LY-luh
“night” · Arabic
#585
Lulu Girl
LOO-loo
“pearl; also diminutive of Louise” · Arabic
#3,194
Sarah Girl
SAIR-uh
“princess” · Hebrew
#90
Justice Unisex
JUHS-tihs
“justice, fairness” · English
#1,363
Lists that include Farrah
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Farrah mean?
Farrah is an Arabic and English name that is usually said to mean “joy, happiness”.
What is the origin of the name Farrah?
Farrah has Arabic and English roots. Farrah is often connected with the Arabic farah, meaning joy or happiness, and in English it may also come from the surname Farrar, originally an occupational name for an ironworker or farrier.
Is Farrah a popular name?
Not especially. Farrah ranked #1,328 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Farrah a boy or girl name?
Farrah is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Farrah?
Farrah is usually pronounced FEHR-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings