Declining since 1988.
Popularity of Farrell since 1902
Babies named Farrell per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 0 | 28 |
| 1910s | 44 | 238 |
| 1920s | 31 | 465 |
| 1930s | 64 | 771 |
| 1940s | 61 | 595 |
| 1950s | 28 | 708 |
| 1960s | 33 | 529 |
| 1970s | 51 | 359 |
| 1980s | 75 | 214 |
| 1990s | 54 | 138 |
| 2000s | 26 | 173 |
| 2010s | 5 | 104 |
| 2020s | 0 | 33 |
Meaning & origin
Farrell is a masculine given name of Irish origin, derived from the surname Ó Fearghail, meaning 'descendant of Fearghal' or 'man of valor'. First recorded in U.S. birth data in 1902, it reached its peak year in 1935, but has experienced a steady decline since 1988. Although it no longer ranks in any top lists, Farrell retains a distinctively Irish heritage and is often chosen by families with roots in County Longford or the broader Irish diaspora. Its rarity today gives it a distinctive, surname-style appeal similar to other Irish patronymics like Brady or Sullivan.
Farrell is an anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic surname Ó Fearghail, meaning 'descendant of Fearghal'. The personal name Fearghal is composed of elements 'fear' (man) and 'gal' (valor). Historically, the Ó Fearghail clan were a prominent sept in County Longford, and the name spread as a given name in the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly in Irish diaspora communities.
“Farrell” around the world
Where Farrell lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ferry, Fez
Variants: Ferrall, O'Farrell, Fearghal
Sibling names for Farrell
Names that share Farrell's style, for a brother or sister.
