Farzana
An Arabic feminine name meaning "distinguished" or "precious".
Name Census estimates that about 198 living Americans carry the first name Farzana. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Farzana today is around 28 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Farzana births was 1997 (13 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Farzana. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
198
~ 1 in 1,731,083 Americans
Peak year
1997
13 babies that year
Average age
28
years old
2024 SSA rank
#13,977
Tracked since 1978
Popularity
Farzana: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Farzana from the 1970s through to the 2020s, spanning 6 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 75 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1990s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Farzana by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Farzana during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Farzanas live
Origin
Meaning and history of Farzana
The name Farzana has its roots in the Persian language and culture, originating from the word "farzaneh," which means wise, learned, or educated. This name gained popularity during the medieval period in Persia, which is now modern-day Iran.
The earliest recorded instance of the name Farzana can be traced back to the 11th century, when it was mentioned in the works of renowned Persian poets and scholars. One notable figure who bore this name was Farzana Khatun, a princess from the Seljuk Empire, who lived in the 12th century and was renowned for her intellectual prowess and patronage of the arts.
In the realm of literature, the name Farzana has been immortalized in the epic Persian poem, Shahnameh, written by the celebrated poet Ferdowsi in the late 10th century. This ancient work, which recounts the history and mythology of ancient Persia, features a character named Farzana, portrayed as a wise and virtuous woman.
Throughout history, several influential figures have carried the name Farzana. One such figure was Farzana Shaikh, a 13th-century Persian poet and philosopher, who was widely acclaimed for her contributions to the field of Sufism and her poetic works that explored the depths of human spirituality.
Another notable figure was Farzana Daulat Naqvi, an Indian educator and social reformer who lived from 1892 to 1976. She played a pivotal role in establishing educational institutions for women in undivided India and advocated for women's rights and empowerment.
In the modern era, Farzana Johal, born in 1976, is a renowned British actress and singer of Pakistani descent. She has appeared in various television shows and films, showcasing her talent and adding to the cultural significance of the name Farzana.
Farzana Naz, born in 1988, is a Pakistani squash player who has achieved remarkable success in the sport, winning numerous international tournaments and representing her country on the global stage.
Overall, the name Farzana has a rich historical and cultural legacy, spanning centuries and crossing geographical boundaries. From its Persian origins to its representation in literature, philosophy, and various fields, the name Farzana has been borne by remarkable individuals who have left an indelible mark on their respective domains.
People
Farzana + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Farzana as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with F
Other first names starting with F with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Farzana: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Farzana?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 198 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Farzana going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,731,083 US residents.
Is Farzana a common name?
We classify Farzana as "Very Rare". It ranks above 74.1% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 204 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Farzana most popular?
The single biggest year for Farzana was 1997, when 13 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Farzana is about 28 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Farzana a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Farzana in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.