UK boy's name
Faran
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "wanderer" or "traveler".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2017. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Faran is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Faran popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2017 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4812, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2014, with 8 births.
This profile covers 59 England and Wales registrations across 12 recorded years from 1996 to 2017. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 38% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 59 living people in the UK are called Faran. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2018 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Faran ranked #4812 for boys in England and Wales in 2017, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2014, when 8 boys were registered as Faran.
- • About 59 living people in the UK are estimated to have Faran as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4812
2017
Births in 2017
3
Latest year
Peak year
2014
8 births
Estimated living
59
2026
Meaning
What does Faran mean?
The name Faran has its roots in the Persian language, originating from the ancient Iranian culture that flourished in the regions of modern-day Iran and parts of Central Asia. It is believed to have emerged during the pre-Islamic era, around the 6th or 7th century CE.
Faran is derived from the Persian word "farr," which translates to "glory," "radiance," or "divine blessing." In ancient Persian mythology, farr was considered a sacred and mystical force that bestowed legitimacy and authority upon kings and rulers. The name Faran, therefore, carries a sense of nobility, splendor, and divine favor.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Faran can be found in the Shahnameh, the epic Persian poem composed by the celebrated poet Ferdowsi in the late 10th century CE. In this literary masterpiece, Faran is mentioned as the name of a brave warrior and companion of the legendary hero Rostam.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Faran. One prominent figure was Faran ibn al-Baqi (1151-1225 CE), a renowned Sufi scholar and mystic from Persia. He was known for his profound spiritual teachings and his influential works on Islamic mysticism.
Another historical figure with the name Faran was Faran ibn Ismail (1290-1349 CE), a Persian mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the field of trigonometry. His works influenced the development of mathematics in the Islamic world during the Middle Ages.
In the realm of literature, Faran ibn Abi al-Hasan (1080-1151 CE) was a respected Persian poet and writer who gained recognition for his lyrical compositions and mastery of the Persian language.
During the Safavid dynasty in Persia (1501-1736 CE), Faran Khan was a prominent military commander and governor who played a crucial role in the expansion and consolidation of the empire under Shah Abbas I.
Faran ibn Shaddad (1071-1143 CE) was a notable Arab historian and scholar from Mosul, known for his comprehensive historical chronicles that documented the events and personalities of his time.
The name Faran, with its rich historical and cultural significance, has transcended its Persian origins and has been embraced by various cultures and communities around the world, carrying with it a sense of prestige, radiance, and divine blessing.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Faran over time
The chart below shows babies named Faran registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2017. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Faran, the clearest high point is 2014. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2017, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Faran by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Faran was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #3417 | 42 | 8 |
| 2000s | #3922 | 11 | 3 |
| 1990s | #1765 | 6 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Faran
- Freddie 46,945
- Finley 42,410
- Frederick 19,866
- Finlay 17,879
- Frankie 17,528
- Finn 14,413
- Felix 14,361
- Fraser 6,470
- Flynn 6,170
- Frank 5,992
- Filip 5,876
- Francis 5,744
FAQ
Faran: questions and answers
How popular is the name Faran in the UK right now?
In 2017, Faran was ranked #4812 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Faran most popular?
The peak year on record was 2014, with 8 babies registered as Faran in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Faran?
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "wanderer" or "traveler".
How many people are called Faran in the UK?
A total of 59 babies have been registered as Faran across the 12 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.