She was named in honor of Rear Admiral Norman von Heldreich Farquhar, who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1859 and had a distinguished record of accomplishments. Farquhar (DE-139) was launched 13 February 1943 by Consolidated Steel Corp., Ltd., Orange, Texas; sponsored by Miss S. B. Carton, great-granddaughter of Admiral Farquhar; and commissioned 5 August 1943, Lieutenant Commander L. E. Rosenberg, USNR, in command.