UK name, mostly boys
Farren
An English given name transferred from an English surname of Celtic origin meaning "traveler" or "wanderer".
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.
Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 86 girls.
Farren is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Farren popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3688, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 17 births.
This profile covers 149 England and Wales registrations across 23 recorded years from 1996 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 29% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 148 living people in the UK are called Farren. 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
- • Farren ranked #3688 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2008, when 17 boys were registered as Farren.
- • Farren is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 148 living people in the UK are estimated to have Farren as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 63.4% of Farren registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3688
2024
Births in 2024
5
Latest year
Peak year
2008
17 births
Estimated living
148
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Farren
In England and Wales birth records, Farren has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 63.4% of registrations are for boys and 36.6% 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.
Farren registered for boys
- Ranked #3,688 in 2024
- 5 boys registered in 2024
- Peak: 2008 (17 births)
Farren registered for girls
- Ranked #4,843 in 2024
- 4 girls registered in 2024
- Peak: 2004 (7 births)
Meaning
What does Farren mean?
The name Farren is believed to have originated from the ancient Celtic language, spoken by various tribes across Europe during the Iron Age and Roman era. One of the proposed roots of the name is the Celtic word "fear" or "fer," meaning "man" or "warrior." This suggests that Farren may have been initially used as a name to denote strength, courage, or masculinity.
Another possibility is that Farren stems from the Old Irish word "ferann," which translates to "land" or "territory." In this context, the name could have been initially given to individuals who possessed or governed over a particular region or landholding. The name's spelling has evolved over time, with variations such as Farran, Ferren, and Farrin appearing in historical records.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Farren can be traced back to the 7th century AD, when a Celtic chieftain named Farren mac Áedán is mentioned in the Annals of Ulster, an ancient chronicle of medieval Irish history. This reference suggests that the name was in use among the Celtic populations of Ireland during the Middle Ages.
In the 12th century, a notable figure named Farren O'Melaghlin was recorded as the King of Meath, an ancient kingdom in Ireland. This indicates that the name held significance and was associated with nobility and leadership during this period.
Moving forward in history, one of the most famous individuals named Farren was the 19th-century English actor and playwright William Farren (1786-1861). He was a prominent figure in the theatrical world and is remembered for his roles in various Shakespearean plays and comedies.
Another well-known bearer of the name was Sir George Farren (1859-1942), a British politician and barrister who served as a Member of Parliament and was knighted for his services to the legal profession.
In the United States, Farren Rivkin (1923-2019) was a notable figure in the entertainment industry, known for his work as a film producer and talent agent, representing several high-profile actors and celebrities.
Farren Blackburn (born 1971) is a contemporary British television director and producer, best known for his work on shows like "Daredevil," "Doctor Who," and "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina."
While the name Farren may have originated from ancient Celtic roots, it has transcended its linguistic boundaries and has been adopted by various cultures and societies throughout history, showcasing its enduring appeal and versatility.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Farren over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Farren in England and Wales, from 1996 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 Farren, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2024, compared with 17 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Farren by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Farren 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 | #4429 | 11 | 3 |
| 2010s | #3001 | 63 | 9 |
| 2000s | #2507 | 58 | 8 |
| 1990s | #1877 | 17 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Farren
- 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
Farren: questions and answers
How popular is the name Farren in the UK right now?
In 2024, Farren was ranked #3688 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Farren most popular?
The peak year on record was 2008, with 17 babies registered as Farren in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Farren?
An English given name transferred from an English surname of Celtic origin meaning "traveler" or "wanderer".
How many people are called Farren in the UK?
A total of 149 babies have been registered as Farren across the 23 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.