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Home › Baby Names Directory › Farrel

Farrel

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Farrel

Pronounced FAIR-ul /ˈfærəl/High

Meaning: Farrel is a variant of Farrell, an Anglicized Irish surname from O Fearghail, 'descendant of Fearghal', a personal name joining fear, 'man', and gal, 'valor' or 'courage' — 'man of valor'. Given as a first name in the surname-as-forename fashion, it inherits that brave meaning.Low

In 30 seconds: Farrel is a spelling of Farrell, from Irish O Fearghail, 'man of valor', used for American boys (said FAIR-ul).
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Origin MediumIrish, English
MeaningFarrel is a variant of Farrell, an Anglicized Irish surname from O Fearghail, 'descendant of Fearghal', a personal name joining fear, 'man', and gal, 'valor' or 'courage' — 'man of valor'. Given as a first name in the surname-as-forename fashion, it inherits that brave meaning.
U.S. rank (2003)#11446 ↘ Falling
2003 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1937
Total births (all-time)≈ 831

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 193719132003

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Farrel is a variant of the Irish surname Farrell, from O Fearghail, 'descendant of Fearghal', built on fear, 'man', and gal, 'valor'. Carried to America by Irish families, it was handed down as a first name, and this trimmed spelling appears alongside Farrell in the records.

It was always rare, reaching only a couple dozen boys a year around 1937 before easing away. A Farrel from that time belongs to a great-grandfather's generation now, and the name keeps a brisk Irish surname character.

Did you know? Farrel carries the Irish gal, 'valor', at its heart, so the name literally salutes a 'man of courage'.
Overall data confidence 55%
References - Farrel — Variant of Farrell; Irish O Fearghail 'man of valor'

Variations

FarrellFerrelFergal

Nicknames

FarrRell

Famous Bearers

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If you like Farrel…

Darrel— a like -rel surname-name for boys
Merrill— another surname-name of the era
Tyrrell— a similar Irish-flavored surname-name
Othel— a fellow English choice
Buel— a similarly popular pick

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Farrel mean?

It's a spelling of Farrell, from the Irish O Fearghail, 'man of valor'.

How do you pronounce Farrel?

It's said FAIR-ul /ˈfærəl/, two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Farrel a boy or girl name?

Farrel is used as a boy's name.

Is Farrel a popular name?

No, it was always rare, an Irish surname-name seen only faintly in the twentieth century.

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