| Faris | Sultan | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | horseman, knight | ruler, authority |
| Origin | arabic | arabic |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | FAA-ris | SUL-tun |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1915 | 0 |
| Peak year | 2025 (150) | 2025 (161) |
| In 2025 | 150 | 0 |
| Trend | Near its peak | Rising |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Faris | Sultan |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 704 | 816 |
| 2010s | 1,095 | 716 |
| 2000s | 723 | 293 |
| 1990s | 296 | 238 |
| 1980s | 122 | 166 |
| 1970s | 46 | 158 |
| 1960s | 24 | 9 |
| 1950s | 18 | 0 |
| 1940s | 21 | 0 |
| 1930s | 55 | 0 |
| 1920s | 84 | 0 |
| 1910s | 37 | 0 |
From the root f-r-s (ف-ر-س), meaning 'horseman, knight, cavalier', with connotations of chivalry and skill. The same letters also relate to Persia (Fars). Also spelled Fares.
From Arabic 'sultan', originally an abstract noun meaning 'strength, authority, rulership' (from 'sulta', power/authority), later a sovereign's title. Note: 'ruler/authority', and distinct from 'malik' (king) proper.
Faris is more popular than Sultan today: about 150 US babies were given the name Faris in 2025, compared with 0 named Sultan.
Faris means horseman, knight (arabic origin), while Sultan means ruler, authority (arabic origin).
In US records, Faris first appears in 1915 and Sultan in 0, so Sultan has the longer recorded history.