Surname Farah - Meaning and Origin
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Farah: What does the surname Farah mean?
The name Farah is of Arabic origin and it means 'joy', 'happiness', or 'delight'. This surname or given name is often used in Middle Eastern and North African countries. Although it is unisex, it is more commonly used for females. The name is also used in other cultures with different spellings and pronunciations, but mostly with the same meaning. In addition, it may also reference the city of Farah in Western Afghanistan, with individuals bearing this surname possibly indicating familial ties or ancestry from this location. However, the prevailing significance of this surname is its connection to positivity and joy.
Order DNA origin analysisFarah: Where does the name Farah come from?
The last name Farah is of Arabic origin, derived from a word that means "joy" or "happiness". This surname is the Romanised form of the Arabic given name "Farhān". Its adoption as a surname indicates the name’s popularity and the Arab tradition to pass on the father’s name to the family.
Today, the surname Farah is globally spread but remains more common in Middle Eastern and North African countries, such as Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Somalia, and Lebanon. It is also common among Muslim families in non-Arabic-speaking countries such as Pakistan due to Arab migration and the influence of the Arabic language on Islamic culture. Additionally, it's fairly common among Arab diaspora communities in Europe, North America, and Australia.
One of the well-known figures bearing this surname is the Somali-born British long-distance runner, Mo Farah. The spread of this last name across different nations and continents is a testament to its enduring popularity and the global reach of Arab culture.
Variations of the surname Farah
The surname Farah is of Arabic origin and it comes from the word “farah” which means joy or happiness. There are several variations and spellings of this surname depending on the cultural and geographical context. Some common variants and alternate spellings include: Farrah, Fara, Farih, Ferrah, and Fahra.
It can also be combined with other Arabic words to form compound surnames such as Farahani, Farahi, Al-Farah, and Farahmand. In some cultures, it is also used as a given name.
The surname also exists in non-Arabic cultures due to historical migration and intercultural influences. For example, in Ireland, there is a variant spelling of “Farragher” which is believed to be derived from the Arabic Farah. Similarly, in Somali, where Arabic names are common, Farah is both a surname and a given name.
It’s important to note that the pronunciation and even the meaning can vary based on regional accents and dialects in different Arabic speaking regions. For example, in Egyptian Arabic, the "h" in Farah is pronounced as a hard "h", while in Levantine Arabic, it's more softer. Regardless, the common theme across all variations is the element of 'joy' or 'happiness'.
Famous people with the name Farah
- Mo Farah: A British long-distance runner, Mo Farah is a multiple Olympic, World and European champion. Born in Somalia, he moved to the UK as a young child.
- Farah Khan: Indian film director, choreographer, actress, and game show host.
- Farah Zeynep Abdullah: A Turkish actress, known for her roles in Turkish TV series.
- Farah Pahlavi: The last Empress (Shahbanu) of Iran who married Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
- Farah Fath: American actress, better known for her role in the NBC daytime soap opera, Days of Our Lives.
- James Farah: An athletics (sport) competitor for the United States.
- Farah Diba: Another name for Farah Pahlavi, the last Queen of Iran.
- Farah Yasmeen Shaikh: An internationally acclaimed Kathak artist and choreographer.
- Georges Farah: A Lebanese politician and lawyer.
- Farah Naaz: A former Bollywood actress.
- Farah Khan Ali: An Indian jewelry designer, the daughter of actors Sanjay Khan and Zarine Katrak Khan.
- Farah Al Qasimi: A United Arab Emirates photographer and visual artist.
- Karim Farah: An Egyptian mathematician.
- Farah Ahmed: Australian actress and model.