"joy, happiness, delight"
Farrah
Pronunciation: [ f-EHR-uh ]
Does Farrah flow with your last name?
Arabic for joy — with a 70s superstar legacy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Names Like Farrah
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Farrah
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"cheerful, glad"
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Browse nicknames →Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with Farrah Fawcett and 1970s pop culture — some may see it as dated
The Story of Farrah
Farrah derives from the Arabic word 'farah' (فرح), meaning joy, happiness, or delight. It has been used across Arab and Persian cultures for centuries as an expression of the happiness a child brings to a family. The name traveled to the West primarily through immigration and was dramatically amplified in American culture by actress Farrah Fawcett in the 1970s.
Farrah spiked dramatically in the United States in the late 1970s following Farrah Fawcett's rise to stardom with Charlie's Angels (1976). Her iconic feathered hair became synonymous with the era. The name peaked around 1977–1979 and has declined since but retains nostalgic affection.
In Arab and Persian cultures, Farrah is a straightforward expression of joy — a wish for a happy life. In the West, it is almost inseparable from Farrah Fawcett, making it a time capsule of 1970s pop culture glamour.
Historical Record
Farrah first appeared in US Social Security records in 1968.
Over 11,984 babies have been named Farrah in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Farrah is past its peak , currently ranked #1,151 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Farrah Fawcett's 1976 pin-up poster sold over 12 million copies — the best-selling poster in history
- Farrah means joy in Arabic and is a common girl's name across the Middle East
- The name appeared in the US top 200 briefly in the late 1970s due entirely to Farrah Fawcett's fame
Farrah in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Farrah
Farrah Abraham
Entertainer
1991
American reality TV personality known for Teen Mom
Farrah Fawcett
Actor
1947
American actress and sex symbol of the 1970s, icon of Charlie's Angels and owner of history's best-selling poster
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,151
- Total SSA Count
- 209
- Cultural Origins
- Arab Persian American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Farrah
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Farrah is also used as a boy name, ranked #15956.
View Farrah as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Arab)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Farrah
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About the Name Farrah
Farrah is a girl name with Arab, Persian, American, and English origins . The name means "joy, happiness, delight" in Arabic .
Is Farrah a boy or girl name? Farrah is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,151 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #15,956. Farrah is more commonly used as a girl name.
Farrah is currently ranked #1,151 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Farrah has 2 syllables and is pronounced f-EHR-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Farrah include Fara and Far. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
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Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis