A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Farah since 1960
Babies named Farah per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2012, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Farah's real moment was 1976.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 149 |
| 1970s | 710 |
| 1980s | 818 |
| 1990s | 863 |
| 2000s | 1,185 |
| 2010s | 1,580 |
| 2020s | 973 |
Meaning & origin
Farah is a name of Arabic origin meaning 'joy' or 'gladness.' In the United States, it has been recorded since 1960, with its peak popularity in 1976, coinciding with the fame of actress Farrah Fawcett (whose spelling differs). After a period of relative decline, the name has been rising again since 1995. As of 2025, Farah ranks 1348th and is given to approximately 1 in 9,800 female newborns. Its use is most concentrated in states such as Michigan, New York, and Illinois, reflecting communities with significant Arab American populations. The name remains a classic within Arabic-speaking families and has seen steady appreciation among parents seeking a melodic and meaningful name.
Farah derives directly from the Arabic root f-r-ḥ, which conveys joy and delight. It is used as a feminine given name across the Arabic-speaking world and in Muslim communities globally, sometimes also appearing as a surname. The name gained wider recognition in English-speaking countries through figures such as the actress Farrah Fawcett, though her spelling variant differs.
Where Farah is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Farah” around the world
Where Farah lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
125
babies in 2024
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Fari, Fara
Sibling names for Farah
Names that share Farah's style, for a brother or sister.
