| Sultan | Faris | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | ruler, authority | horseman, knight |
| Origin | arabic | arabic |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | SUL-tun | FAA-ris |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 0 | 1915 |
| Peak year | 2025 (161) | 2025 (150) |
| In 2025 | 0 | 150 |
| Trend | Rising | Near its peak |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Sultan | Faris |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 816 | 704 |
| 2010s | 716 | 1,095 |
| 2000s | 293 | 723 |
| 1990s | 238 | 296 |
| 1980s | 166 | 122 |
| 1970s | 158 | 46 |
| 1960s | 9 | 24 |
| 1950s | 0 | 18 |
| 1940s | 0 | 21 |
| 1930s | 0 | 55 |
| 1920s | 0 | 84 |
| 1910s | 0 | 37 |
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.
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.
Faris is more popular than Sultan today: about 150 US babies were given the name Faris in 2025, compared with 0 named Sultan.
Sultan means ruler, authority (arabic origin), while Faris means horseman, knight (arabic origin).
In US records, Sultan first appears in 0 and Faris in 1915, so Sultan has the longer recorded history.