UK name, mostly boys
Farran
Of Arabic origin, a name evoking the nobility of thunder and lightning.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2015. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 21 girls.
Farran is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Farran popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2015 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3908, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2004, with 6 births.
This profile covers 42 England and Wales registrations across 10 recorded years from 2003 to 2015. 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 67% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 42 living people in the UK are called Farran. 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 2016 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Farran ranked #3908 for boys in England and Wales in 2015, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2004, when 6 boys were registered as Farran.
- • Farran is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 42 living people in the UK are estimated to have Farran as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 66.7% of Farran registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3908
2015
Births in 2015
4
Latest year
Peak year
2004
6 births
Estimated living
42
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Farran
In England and Wales birth records, Farran has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 66.7% of registrations are for boys and 33.3% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Farran registered for boys
- Ranked #3,908 in 2015
- 4 boys registered in 2015
- Peak: 2004 (6 births)
Farran registered for girls
- Ranked #4,739 in 2013
- 4 girls registered in 2013
- Peak: 1999 (4 births)
Meaning
What does Farran mean?
The name Farran is believed to have its origins in the Gaelic language, specifically from the Irish and Scottish branches. It is thought to be derived from the old Irish word "fearann," which means "land" or "territory." This suggests that the name may have been initially used to identify someone who owned or was associated with a particular piece of land or geographic area.
In its earliest recorded forms, the name appeared as "Fearann" or "Fearain" in medieval Irish manuscripts dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries. These early mentions of the name were often found in genealogical records and land ownership documents, further reinforcing the connection to land and territories.
One notable historical figure who bore the name Farran was Fearann Ó Cathail, an Irish chieftain from County Meath who lived in the 12th century. He was known for his involvement in the Norman invasion of Ireland and his resistance against the Anglo-Norman forces.
Another individual of note was Fearann Mac Fhearghuis, a Scottish noble who lived in the 13th century. He was a prominent figure in the Scottish Wars of Independence and fought alongside William Wallace and Robert the Bruce against the English.
In the 15th century, there was a Scottish clergyman named Fearann MacLeòid who served as the Bishop of Argyll and the Isles. He played a significant role in the religious and cultural life of the Scottish Highlands during his tenure.
Moving forward in time, a notable bearer of the name was Farran Browne, an Irish poet and playwright who lived from 1719 to 1789. He was known for his satirical works and was considered a prominent figure in the Irish literary scene of the 18th century.
Another individual worth mentioning is Farran Zerr, a German-American artist and illustrator who lived from 1892 to 1970. He gained recognition for his work in commercial art and his illustrations for various publications, including magazines and children's books.
While the name Farran has its roots in the Gaelic languages, it has also been adopted and used in various other cultures and regions over time. However, its original connection to land and territory remains a defining aspect of its historical significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Farran over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Farran in England and Wales, from 1996 to 2015. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Farran, the clearest high point is 2004. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2015, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Farran by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Farran 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 | #4064 | 16 | 4 |
| 2000s | #3375 | 26 | 6 |
Related
Names similar to Farran
- 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
Farran: questions and answers
How popular is the name Farran in the UK right now?
In 2015, Farran was ranked #3908 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Farran most popular?
The peak year on record was 2004, with 6 babies registered as Farran in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Farran?
Of Arabic origin, a name evoking the nobility of thunder and lightning.
How many people are called Farran in the UK?
A total of 42 babies have been registered as Farran across the 10 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.