Fay
Fay is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Fairy, elf, or faith.
Origin and history
Fay is a classic English name derived from the Old French word for a fairy or magical creature. It enjoyed widespread popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States, though it is used more softly today. It remains a charming, vintage single-syllable choice with whimsical roots.
Popularity in the United States
32,059 babies in the United States have been named Fay since 1880. It ranks #802 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1868.
States where it is most popular
- NY (12.4 %)
- PA (10.4 %)
- TX (8.4 %)
- CA (4 %)
- MI (3.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 411 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,180 |
| 1900-1910 | 2,078 |
| 1910-1920 | 5,473 |
| 1920-1930 | 6,304 |
| 1930-1940 | 5,763 |
| 1940-1950 | 4,197 |
| 1950-1960 | 3,130 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,740 |
| 1970-1980 | 524 |
| 1980-1990 | 316 |
| 1990-2000 | 170 |
| 2000-2010 | 229 |
| 2010-2019 | 311 |
| 2020-2029 | 233 |
Famous people named Fay
- Fay Wray: Actress
- Fay Bainter: Actress
- Fay Weldon: Author, Playwright
Fun facts
- Derived from Old French 'faie', which shares roots with the word 'fate' and referred to enchanted beings.
- Fay peaked in U.S. popularity during the early 1900s, often given as a middle or first name.