Farai
Meaningrejoice · Shona
Farai is an African gender-neutral name meaning “rejoice”, with Shona roots. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. It suits a boy or a girl equally well.
Did you know?
- GenerationFarai peaked in 2005, which makes it a Gen Z name. The typical Farai you'd meet today is about 20 years old.
- HistoryFarai first shows up in US birth records in 2005, the first year at least 5 babies got it. That makes it a fairly new name, younger than many of today's parents.
US births per million boys, 2005–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Farai
Farai is a gender-neutral name of African origin meaning “rejoice”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It's a fresh, modern name that only arrived in US birth records in recent decades. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name. It works for a boy or a girl, which suits parents who'd like a name that doesn't signal gender.
Origin:African names
More African names
- Girl name: Layla · night
- Unisex name: Zuri · beautiful
- Girl name: Aisha · alive
- Unisex name: Cairo · the victorious
- Unisex name: Asa · healer
- Unisex name: Zaire · river
- Girl name: Amber · amber resin
- Girl name: Zahra · radiant, bright
Questions about the name Farai
What does the name Farai mean?
Farai means “rejoice” and comes from Shona. Other gender-neutral names with a similar meaning include Caio (“rejoice”), Gaius (“rejoice”) and Jabulani (“rejoice”).
What is the origin of the name Farai?
Farai is African in origin, and its meaning traces back to Shona. Other African names to consider are Layla (“night”), Zuri (“beautiful”), Aisha (“alive”) and Cairo (“the victorious”).
Is Farai a boy or girl name?
Both. Farai is a true gender-neutral name used for boys and girls. That balance makes it a good pick if you'd like a name that doesn't signal gender.
How popular is the name Farai?
Farai is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2005. It peaked at #10,151 in 2005, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Farai?
If you like Farai, you might also like Caio, Gaius and Jabulani.
What should I know before naming my baby Farai?
Farai is an African gender-neutral name meaning “rejoice”, with Shona roots. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. It suits a boy or a girl equally well. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.