UK name, mostly boys
Farrell
A traditionally Irish name meaning "man from across the sea".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2018. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Farrell is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Farrell popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2018 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4749, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2004, with 26 births.
This profile covers 200 England and Wales registrations across 22 recorded years from 1996 to 2018. 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 12% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 198 living people in the UK are called Farrell. 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 2019 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Farrell ranked #4749 for boys in England and Wales in 2018, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2004, when 26 boys were registered as Farrell.
- • About 198 living people in the UK are estimated to have Farrell as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 98.0% of Farrell registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4749
2018
Births in 2018
3
Latest year
Peak year
2004
26 births
Estimated living
198
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Farrell
In England and Wales birth records, Farrell has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 98.0% of registrations are for boys and 2.0% 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.
Farrell registered for boys
- Ranked #4,749 in 2018
- 3 boys registered in 2018
- Peak: 2004 (26 births)
Farrell registered for girls
- Ranked #3,174 in 1997
- 4 girls registered in 1997
- Peak: 1997 (4 births)
Meaning
What does Farrell mean?
The name Farrell has its origins in the Irish Gaelic language and culture. It is believed to have derived from the old Irish word "ferghail," which means "man of valor" or "courageous man." The name can be traced back to the early medieval period in Ireland, around the 5th or 6th century AD.
One of the earliest known historical figures to bear the name Farrell was an Irish chieftain named Farrell O'Reilly, who lived in the 14th century. He was a prominent leader of the O'Reilly clan in County Cavan, Ireland, and played a significant role in the struggles against English rule during that time.
In the 16th century, a poet and musician named Farrell O'Gara gained recognition for his work in preserving and promoting traditional Irish poetry and music. He was born around 1520 in County Sligo and is considered one of the last great bards of the Gaelic literary tradition.
Another notable figure with the name Farrell was Farrell O'Donnell, an Irish rebel leader who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He fought against English colonization in Ulster and led several uprisings against English forces in the early 1600s.
In the 18th century, Farrell O'Gorman was an Irish politician and member of the Irish House of Commons. He was born in 1714 and played a significant role in advocating for Catholic rights and political reforms in Ireland during his time.
Moving to the 20th century, Farrell Edmunds was an American football player and coach. He was born in 1907 and played as a quarterback for the University of Southern California in the late 1920s. He later went on to coach several college teams and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1962.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the name Farrell, showcasing its rich heritage and cultural significance, particularly within the Irish tradition.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Farrell over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Farrell in England and Wales, from 1996 to 2018. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Farrell, the clearest high point is 2004. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2018, compared with 26 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Farrell by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Farrell 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 | #3186 | 54 | 8 |
| 2000s | #1861 | 115 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1666 | 31 | 4 |
Notable bearers
Famous people named Farrell
-
Farrell Treacy
short-track speed skater
British speed skater
1995-
Related
Names similar to Farrell
- 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
Farrell: questions and answers
How popular is the name Farrell in the UK right now?
In 2018, Farrell was ranked #4749 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Farrell most popular?
The peak year on record was 2004, with 26 babies registered as Farrell in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Farrell?
A traditionally Irish name meaning "man from across the sea".
How many people are called Farrell in the UK?
A total of 200 babies have been registered as Farrell across the 22 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.