Faye
Faye is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Fairy or fate.
Origin and history
Faye is a feminine given name derived from the Middle English word for fairy, which traces back to the Old French 'faie'. It gained popularity as an independent name in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, it remains a recognized classic that has seen a gentle resurgence in contemporary U.S. naming trends.
Popularity in the United States
72,142 babies in the United States have been named Faye since 1880. It ranks #469 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #550.
States where it is most popular
- TX (7.2 %)
- NC (6.4 %)
- PA (6 %)
- GA (4.4 %)
- OH (4.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 296 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,130 |
| 1900-1910 | 2,210 |
| 1910-1920 | 6,826 |
| 1920-1930 | 10,233 |
| 1930-1940 | 12,555 |
| 1940-1950 | 13,711 |
| 1950-1960 | 10,427 |
| 1960-1970 | 4,244 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,558 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,058 |
| 1990-2000 | 618 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,106 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,969 |
| 2020-2029 | 3,201 |
Famous people named Faye
- Faye Dunaway: Actress
- Faye Wong: Singer, Songwriter
Fun facts
- The root of the name relates directly to the archaic word 'fay', referring to fairies and magical beings in medieval romance literature.
- The name gained widespread prominence in mid-20th-century pop culture through iconic actresses like Faye Dunaway.