UK boy's name
Farouk
Originally from the Arabic word meaning "he who distinguishes between truth and falsehood".
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.
Farouk is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Farouk popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5119, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 5 births.
This profile covers 65 England and Wales registrations across 17 recorded years from 1998 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 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 65 living people in the UK are called Farouk. 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
- • Farouk ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1998, when 5 boys were registered as Farouk.
- • About 65 living people in the UK are estimated to have Farouk as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5119
2024
Births in 2024
3
Latest year
Peak year
1998
5 births
Estimated living
65
2026
Meaning
What does Farouk mean?
The name Farouk has its origins in the Arabic language and culture. It is derived from the Arabic word "fariq," which means "one who distinguishes between right and wrong" or "one who distinguishes truth from falsehood."
The name Farouk gained prominence during the medieval Islamic era, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa. It was often bestowed upon individuals who were known for their wisdom, justice, and ability to discern truth from falsehood.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name Farouk can be found in the Quran, the holy book of Islam. In the Quran, the word "fariq" is used several times, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between right and wrong, truth and falsehood.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Farouk. One of the most famous was Farouk I, the former King of Egypt and Sudan, who reigned from 1936 to 1952. He was born in 1920 and abdicated in 1952 after a series of political upheavals in Egypt.
Another prominent figure was Farouk El-Baz, an Egyptian-American scientist and geologist. He was born in 1938 and is renowned for his work in the field of planetary geology, particularly his contributions to the Apollo space program and the exploration of the Moon.
In the realm of literature, Farouk Shousha was an Egyptian poet and writer who lived from 1936 to 2016. He was known for his powerful and evocative poetry, which often explored themes of identity, culture, and social justice.
Farouk Hosny, born in 1938, was an Egyptian actor and comedian who gained immense popularity for his roles in numerous Egyptian films and television shows. He was widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the Egyptian entertainment industry.
Farouk Mitha, born in 1958, is a Canadian businessman and philanthropist of Indian descent. He is the founder and CEO of Navigata Communications, a successful telecommunications company, and is known for his philanthropic efforts in supporting education and healthcare initiatives.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Farouk throughout history, each leaving their mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural and intellectual heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Farouk over time
The chart below shows babies named Farouk registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1998 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 Farouk, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Farouk by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Farouk 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 | #4966 | 9 | 3 |
| 2010s | #4246 | 26 | 7 |
| 2000s | #3203 | 25 | 6 |
| 1990s | #2074 | 5 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Farouk
- 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
Farouk: questions and answers
How popular is the name Farouk in the UK right now?
In 2024, Farouk was ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Farouk most popular?
The peak year on record was 1998, with 5 babies registered as Farouk in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Farouk?
Originally from the Arabic word meaning "he who distinguishes between truth and falsehood".
How many people are called Farouk in the UK?
A total of 65 babies have been registered as Farouk across the 17 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.