UK boy's name
Farrel
A masculine name derived from the medieval French word "ferrel" meaning "iron ring".
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.
Farrel is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Farrel popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2009 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4527, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2009, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2009 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.
Farrel is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Farrel. 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
- • Farrel ranked #4527 for boys in England and Wales in 2009, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2009, when 3 boys were registered as Farrel.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Farrel as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4527
2009
Births in 2009
3
Latest year
Peak year
2009
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Farrel mean?
The name Farrel is believed to have its origins in the Gaelic language, specifically from the Irish Fir meaning "true" or "sincere." It is a variant spelling of the more common Irish name Farrell, which can also be spelled as Ferrell or Farrill.
The earliest known use of the name can be traced back to the 12th century in Ireland, where it was primarily used as a surname. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name was Sir Piers Farrell, an Irish knight and landowner who lived in the 13th century.
In the 16th century, the name gained popularity as a first name among Irish families, particularly those with strong ties to their Celtic heritage. During this time, the name was often associated with virtues such as honesty, loyalty, and integrity.
One notable figure in history who bore the name Farrel was Farrel Baggallay, an English judge and politician who lived from 1795 to 1869. He served as Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer in the mid-19th century.
Another historical figure was Farrel Greenwood Gunnison, an American military officer and explorer who lived from 1824 to 1853. He led various expeditions in the western United States and was instrumental in mapping and surveying the territories.
In the 19th century, the name Farrel gained popularity among Irish immigrants who settled in the United States and other parts of the English-speaking world. One notable individual from this period was Farrel O'Gorman, an Irish-American author and journalist who lived from 1823 to 1883.
In more recent times, the name has been used across various cultures and countries, although it remains more prevalent in areas with strong Irish or Celtic influences. Notable individuals with the name Farrel include Farrel Richmond, an American actor and producer from the mid-20th century, and Farrel Pomrenke, an American author and educator who lived from 1932 to 2015.
Overall, the name Farrel has a rich history rooted in Irish and Celtic traditions, with a meaning that emphasizes truthfulness and sincerity. While its usage has evolved over the centuries, it continues to be a unique and meaningful name choice for many families.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Farrel by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Farrel 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 | #4527 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Farrel
- 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
Farrel: questions and answers
How popular is the name Farrel in the UK right now?
In 2009, Farrel was ranked #4527 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Farrel most popular?
The peak year on record was 2009, with 3 babies registered as Farrel in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Farrel?
A masculine name derived from the medieval French word "ferrel" meaning "iron ring".
How many people are called Farrel in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Farrel across the 1 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.