Find out how popular the first name Farah has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Farah by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Farah is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 98% of people named Farah being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 173 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Farah.

The history of the first name Farah

The name Farah has its origins in the Persian language and culture. It is derived from the Persian word "farrah," which means "joy," "happiness," or "radiance." The name has been in use for centuries, dating back to ancient Persia, which is now modern-day Iran.

In Persian literature and poetry, the word "farrah" is often associated with divine grace, beauty, and spiritual enlightenment. The name Farah is believed to have been popularized during the Sassanid Empire, which ruled over Persia from the 3rd to the 7th century AD.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Farah can be found in the Shahnameh, the national epic of Greater Iran, written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi between 977 and 1010 AD. In this epic, Farah is mentioned as a beautiful and virtuous woman.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the name Farah. One of the most famous was Farah Pahlavi, the former Empress of Iran, who was married to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran. She was born on October 14, 1938, and played a significant role in promoting women's rights and cultural heritage in Iran.

Another notable figure was Farah Diba, an Egyptian-born actress and singer who appeared in numerous Egyptian films and television shows in the 1950s and 1960s. She was born on October 10, 1935, and was known for her beauty and talent.

In the realm of literature, Farah Bashir is a renowned Pakistani writer and journalist who has authored several books and articles on women's issues and social justice. She was born in 1972 and has received numerous awards for her work.

Farah Khan, born on January 9, 1965, is a prominent Indian film director, choreographer, and actress. She has directed several successful Bollywood films and is known for her unique style and choreography.

Lastly, Farah Fawcett was an American actress and model who rose to fame in the 1970s for her role in the television series "Charlie's Angels." She was born on February 2, 1947, and became an iconic figure in popular culture, known for her beauty and acting talent.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Farah was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Farah, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!