Farrell Boy

Popularity: — · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: FAIR-uhl //ˈfɛr.əl//

Origin: Irish; Gaelic

Meaning: Irish: man of valor; Gaelic: descendant of Fearghal

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Farrell has its roots in the Gaelic language, specifically deriving from the Irish surname "O'Fearghail," which translates to "descendant of Fearghal." The name Fearghal itself is composed of two elements: "fear," meaning "man," and "gal," meaning "valor" or "bravery." This etymological foundation highlights the name's connotation of a brave man or a man of valor. The transition of the name into English occurred through the Anglicization of Irish surnames, particularly during the 17th century, when many Irish names were adapted to fit English phonetics and spelling conventions.

Historically, the O'Fearghail family was prominent in Ireland, particularly in the province of Ulster. The name is associated with various historical figures, including members of the Gaelic nobility.

During the medieval period, the O'Fearghail clan held significant power and influence, particularly in the region of Fermanagh. The name appears in various historical texts and records, reflecting its longstanding presence in Irish history.

The Gaelic revival in the 19th and early 20th centuries also contributed to a renewed interest in traditional Irish names, including Farrell. Culturally, the name Farrell carries a sense of heritage and identity, often associated with the valorous characteristics implied by its etymology.

The name has been embraced in various forms of literature and art, symbolizing strength and resilience. Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Farrell" have emerged, although they are less common.

Overall, the name Farrell encapsulates a rich historical narrative that reflects the valor and legacy of its Gaelic origins.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Farrell, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

FinneganDeclanCormacLiamSeamusRonan

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Farrell. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

DarrenGarrettKieranTannerBrennanMerrillGarethCarroll

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Farrell was first seen in the United States in 1902.

Farrell has ranked as high as #1713 nationally, which occurred in 1956, and has been most popular in Louisiana, Utah, Missouri, California, and Arkansas.

In the past 5 years the name Farrell has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Farrell is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Farrell was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Farrell.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2024 5 5 0
2023 6 6 0
2022 8 8 0
2021 7 7 0
2020 7 7 0
2019 5 5 0
2018 13 13 0
2017 7 7 0
2016 10 10 0
2015 11 11 0
2014 16 11 5
2013 7 7 0
2012 12 12 0
2011 16 16 0
2010 12 12 0
2009 12 12 0
2008 24 19 5
2007 16 16 0
2006 22 22 0
2005 24 24 0
2004 16 16 0
2003 30 21 9
2002 18 12 6
2001 19 19 0
2000 18 12 6
1999 9 9 0
1998 14 8 6
1997 25 20 5
1996 15 15 0
1995 15 10 5
1994 11 5 6
1993 31 24 7
1992 27 14 13
1991 28 22 6
1990 17 11 6
1989 28 22 6
1988 29 17 12
1987 38 24 14
1986 14 14 0
1985 32 19 13
1984 20 15 5
1983 32 24 8
1982 34 27 7
1981 35 25 10
1980 27 27 0
1979 44 35 9
1978 33 28 5
1977 45 33 12
1976 34 29 5
1975 40 35 5
1974 31 25 6
1973 35 35 0
1972 43 43 0
1971 56 47 9
1970 49 49 0
1969 35 35 0
1968 50 43 7
1967 57 57 0
1966 59 52 7
1965 68 68 0
1964 43 43 0
1963 76 71 5
1962 58 58 0
1961 60 51 9
1960 56 51 5
1959 64 64 0
1958 66 66 0
1957 79 79 0
1956 99 92 7
1955 69 69 0
1954 80 74 6
1953 64 64 0
1952 73 73 0
1951 71 65 6
1950 71 62 9
1949 60 60 0
1948 73 58 15
1947 76 71 5
1946 43 43 0
1945 49 49 0
1944 74 67 7
1943 68 63 5
1942 78 63 15
1941 65 58 7
1940 70 63 7
1939 64 64 0
1938 68 60 8
1937 80 69 11
1936 87 77 10
1935 96 96 0
1934 90 76 14
1933 82 82 0
1932 97 89 8
1931 87 82 5
1930 84 76 8
1929 47 47 0
1928 44 44 0
1927 58 50 8
1926 52 52 0
1925 55 49 6
1924 66 57 9
1923 45 45 0
1922 42 42 0
1921 45 45 0
1920 42 34 8
1919 52 39 13
1918 38 30 8
1917 43 37 6
1916 41 31 10
1915 39 32 7
1914 18 18 0
1913 24 24 0
1912 18 18 0
1911 9 9 0
1908 10 10 0
1907 7 7 0
1903 5 5 0
1902 6 6 0

Top States for Farrell (2005)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
NY 5
100%