UK girl's name
Farihah
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 2009. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Farihah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Farihah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2009 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2326, with 10 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 10 births.
This profile covers 77 England and Wales registrations across 12 recorded years from 1996 to 2009. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 77 living people in the UK are called Farihah. 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 2010 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Farihah ranked #2326 for girls in England and Wales in 2009, with 10 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2001, when 10 girls were registered as Farihah.
- • About 77 living people in the UK are estimated to have Farihah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2326
2009
Births in 2009
10
Latest year
Peak year
2001
10 births
Estimated living
77
2026
Meaning
What does Farihah mean?
The name Farihah is of Arabic origin, derived from the word "farah" meaning joy, happiness, or delight. It is a feminine name that has been used in the Middle East and Islamic cultures for centuries.
The earliest recorded use of the name Farihah can be traced back to the 7th century, during the time of the Islamic Golden Age. It is believed that the name first gained popularity among Arab families as a way to express their joy and gratitude for the birth of a daughter.
One of the earliest known historical figures to bear the name Farihah was a renowned female poet who lived in the 8th century. She was known for her mastery of the Arabic language and her contributions to the literary world of the time.
In the 10th century, there was a famous female philosopher and scholar named Farihah al-Andalusiyah, who hailed from the Iberian Peninsula. She was highly regarded for her knowledge and writings on various subjects, including mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy.
During the 12th century, a woman named Farihah bint al-Abbas played a significant role in the cultural and intellectual life of Baghdad. She was a patron of the arts and a supporter of education, founding several schools and libraries in the city.
Another notable figure with the name Farihah was a 14th-century Sufi mystic and poet from Persia. Her spiritual writings and poetry were widely acclaimed and continue to be studied and appreciated to this day.
In more recent history, there was a 19th-century Egyptian feminist and activist named Farihah al-Misriyah. She was a pioneering figure in the fight for women's rights and education in her country, and her legacy has inspired generations of activists.
Throughout the centuries, the name Farihah has been associated with joy, happiness, and intellectual pursuits. It has been carried by women from various walks of life, including poets, scholars, mystics, and activists, who have left their mark on the world.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Farihah over time
The chart below shows babies named Farihah registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2009. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Farihah, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 10 births in 2009, compared with 10 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Farihah by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Farihah 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #2777 | 65 | 9 |
| 1990s | #3253 | 12 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Farihah
- 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
Farihah: questions and answers
How popular is the name Farihah in the UK right now?
In 2009, Farihah was ranked #2326 for girls in England and Wales, with 10 births registered.
When was Farihah most popular?
The peak year on record was 2001, with 10 babies registered as Farihah in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Farihah?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "joyful" or "happy one".
How many people are called Farihah in the UK?
A total of 77 babies have been registered as Farihah 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.