NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Fariya

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "unique" or "rare jewel".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2016. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Fariya is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Fariya popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2016 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5785, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 6 births.

This profile covers 30 England and Wales registrations across 8 recorded years from 1996 to 2016. 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 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 30 living people in the UK are called Fariya. 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 2017 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Fariya ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales in 2016, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2011, when 6 girls were registered as Fariya.
  • About 30 living people in the UK are estimated to have Fariya as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5785

2016

Births in 2016

3

Latest year

Peak year

2011

6 births

Estimated living

30

2026

Meaning

What does Fariya mean?

The name Fariya is believed to have its origins in the Persian language, tracing back to the ancient Iranian civilization that flourished in the region now known as modern-day Iran. The name is derived from the Persian word "farr," which means "glory" or "radiance." This connection suggests that Fariya was initially bestowed upon individuals who were perceived as possessing a certain aura or charisma.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Fariya can be found in the ancient Zoroastrian religious texts, specifically the Avesta, which dates back to the 6th century BCE. In these sacred scriptures, the name appears as a reference to a celestial being or divine entity associated with light and brilliance.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Fariya. One such individual was Fariya Qadiri (1460-1541), a renowned Persian poet and mystic who lived during the Safavid dynasty. Her poetic works, infused with spiritual themes and philosophical insights, have left an indelible mark on Persian literature.

Another prominent figure was Fariya Anjuman (1898-1976), an Indian educator and social reformer who dedicated her life to advancing women's education and empowerment. She played a pivotal role in establishing several educational institutions for girls in underprivileged communities.

In the realm of politics, Fariya Hasan (1935-2020) was a prominent Pakistani diplomat and politician who served as the first female ambassador of Pakistan to several countries, including the Netherlands and Denmark. Her pioneering career paved the way for greater representation of women in diplomatic circles.

The name Fariya also graced the stage through the accomplished Indian classical dancer and choreographer Fariya Sunderlal (1927-2009). She was instrumental in popularizing and preserving the rich tradition of Kathak, one of the major classical dance forms of India.

Fariya Mozaffar (1938-2008) was a renowned Egyptian novelist and short story writer whose works explored themes of identity, gender, and societal norms. Her literary contributions were widely acclaimed and earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature.

While these examples provide a glimpse into the historical significance and varied backgrounds of individuals bearing the name Fariya, it is essential to note that the name's meaning and cultural connotations may have evolved over time and across different regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Fariya over time

The chart below shows babies named Fariya registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2016. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Fariya, the clearest high point is 2011. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2016, compared with 6 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Fariya
02356199620062016

Decades

Fariya by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Fariya 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 #4446 14 3
2000s #4977 13 4
1990s #3795 3 1

Related

Names similar to Fariya

FAQ

Fariya: questions and answers

How popular is the name Fariya in the UK right now?

In 2016, Fariya was ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Fariya most popular?

The peak year on record was 2011, with 6 babies registered as Fariya in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Fariya?

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "unique" or "rare jewel".

How many people are called Fariya in the UK?

A total of 30 babies have been registered as Fariya across the 8 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.