E. Rossoni proposes that this surname would derive, directly or through a dialectal diminutive form, from an apocopated form of the medieval Germanic name Fariaricus, in turn derived from the Celtic name Fariarix, meaning "the King of the Fari". It should be noted that Rossoni develops this etymology in the context of the surname Fariello, so the relation with Faria is indirect and passes through intermediate forms. Geographically, he notes specific zones in Vasto —province of Chieti—, in the Bari area (Corato and Toritto), in the Salerno area (Cava de' Tirreni, Salerno, Nocera Inferiore, Roccadaspide and Pisciotta) and in the Naples area (Naples, Bacoli, Pozzuoli and Quarto).

V. Blunda, on the other hand, proposes a different etymology with no connection to the previous one: he derives the surname from the Greek farìas, meaning "keeper of the lighthouse". According to this author, the form would have functioned as a professional nickname applied to the one who exercised the trade of watchman in charge of a coastal lighthouse, thus giving rise to the surname. Blunda also links it with parallel forms such as Faras and Faro, all recorded with the same Greek root. His analysis is circumscribed to Sicily.

Both proposals prove incompatible with each other: Rossoni refers to a Germanic-Celtic origin through a medieval name, while Blunda points to a Greek etymon of an occupational character. The sources do not allow a synthesis to be established nor to determine which of the two etymologies corresponds specifically to the surname Faria as it presents itself in Italy.