Find out how popular the first name Pharrell has been for the last 21 years (from 2003 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Pharrell by gender

Based on the last 21 years of data, Pharrell is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 16 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Pharrell.

The history of the first name Pharrell

The name Pharrell is a variant of the French name Ferrol or Farrell, which is derived from the Gaelic name Somhairle. This name can be traced back to the 12th century and the medieval kingdom of Dál Riata, which spanned parts of western Scotland and northeastern Ireland.

Somhairle is believed to have originated from the Old Norse name Sumarliði, meaning "summer traveler" or "summer warrior." The name was brought to Scotland and Ireland by Norse-Gaelic settlers and was later Anglicized to forms like Sorley and Farrell.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Pharrell can be found in the writings of the medieval Scottish historian John of Fordun, who mentioned a man named Pharrell mac Gillebride in the late 13th century.

In the 16th century, a Scottish nobleman named Pharrell Stewart was documented as having fought alongside Mary, Queen of Scots, during the Scottish Reformation. He was born around 1540 and died in battle in 1568.

Another notable figure with the name Pharrell was an Irish poet and bard named Pharrell Ó Duibhgeannáin, who lived in the late 17th century and was known for his satirical works criticizing English rule in Ireland.

In the 18th century, a French explorer named Pharrell Delisle was one of the first Europeans to map the Pacific Northwest region of North America, including parts of present-day British Columbia and Alaska.

During the American Revolutionary War, a soldier named Pharrell Fitzpatrick served in the Continental Army and was present at the Siege of Yorktown in 1781, which effectively ended the war.

While the name Pharrell has been more commonly used in modern times, it has a rich history dating back to the medieval era, with connections to Scotland, Ireland, France, and the exploration of North America.

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 Pharrell was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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