UK girl's name
Fariha
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "joyful" or "happy one".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Fariha is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Fariha popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1406, with 23 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 32 births.
This profile covers 529 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. 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 72% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 526 living people in the UK are called Fariha. 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 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Fariha ranked #1406 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 23 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2008, when 32 girls were registered as Fariha.
- • About 526 living people in the UK are estimated to have Fariha as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1406
2024
Births in 2024
23
Latest year
Peak year
2008
32 births
Estimated living
526
2026
Meaning
What does Fariha mean?
The name Fariha is of Arabic origin and is derived from the Arabic root word "faraha," which means "joy" or "happiness." It is a feminine name that has been in use for centuries across various regions of the Middle East and North Africa.
In Arabic culture, the name Fariha is often associated with the concepts of joy, delight, and contentment. It is believed to have been inspired by the Quranic teachings that encourage Muslims to seek happiness and contentment in their lives through faith and good deeds.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Fariha can be traced back to the medieval period in various historical texts and records from the Islamic world. One notable example is Fariha bint Al-Jahiz, a renowned 9th-century scholar and writer from Basra, Iraq, who was known for her intellectual contributions and literary works.
Throughout history, several influential and notable individuals have borne the name Fariha. One of the most prominent figures was Fariha Al-Nabulsi, a 17th-century Syrian poet and scholar who gained recognition for her exceptional literary skills and contributions to Arabic literature. She was born in Damascus in 1640 and is remembered for her poetic works that explored themes of love, spirituality, and social commentary.
Another notable Fariha was Fariha Zarnegar, an Iranian painter and artist who lived in the 20th century. Born in 1923 in Tehran, she was celebrated for her vibrant and expressive paintings that captured the essence of Iranian culture and traditions. Her works are considered significant contributions to the modern art movement in Iran.
In the realm of politics and activism, Fariha Naqvi-Mohamed, a South African human rights activist and lawyer, made a lasting impact. Born in 1964, she dedicated her life to advocating for the rights of marginalized communities and played a crucial role in the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa.
Fariha Khaled, a contemporary Emirati author and journalist, has also gained recognition for her literary works exploring themes of identity, culture, and women's rights in the Arab world. Born in 1975 in Dubai, she has published several acclaimed novels and essays that have garnered critical acclaim.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Fariha, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of human experience and achievement.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Fariha over time
The chart below shows babies named Fariha registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Fariha, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 23 births in 2024, compared with 32 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Fariha by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Fariha 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #1927 | 77 | 5 |
| 2010s | #1954 | 151 | 10 |
| 2000s | #1081 | 235 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1176 | 66 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Fariha
- Freya 50,564
- Florence 32,908
- Francesca 18,752
- Faith 14,325
- Fatima 11,112
- Faye 8,999
- Felicity 8,554
- Frankie 6,977
- Ffion 6,115
- Flora 3,499
- Frances 3,417
- Fatimah 3,065
FAQ
Fariha: questions and answers
How popular is the name Fariha in the UK right now?
In 2024, Fariha was ranked #1406 for girls in England and Wales, with 23 births registered.
When was Fariha most popular?
The peak year on record was 2008, with 32 babies registered as Fariha in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Fariha?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "joyful" or "happy one".
How many people are called Fariha in the UK?
A total of 529 babies have been registered as Fariha across the 29 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.