Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Faye
GirlEnglish, French· “fairy”
- Meaning
- fairy
- Origin
- English, French
- Pronunciation
- FAY
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #515
- US babies 2025
- 579
- Best rank
- #146 (1934)
- Peak year
- 1943
Meaning and origin of Faye
Faye is an English and French name that is usually said to mean “fairy”.
Faye comes from the Middle English fay, fairy, which came from the Old French fae. It recalls Morgan le Fay, the enchantress of Arthurian legend, and it is sometimes treated as a short form of Faith. As a given name Faye became popular in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and the actress Faye Dunaway later gave it a glamorous image. Faye is short, soft and vintage, and it works especially well as a middle name. Fay and Fae are alternative spellings with the same sound.
Other spellings with the same sound: Fay.
Popularity over time
Faye has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 112 different years. Its best national rank was #146 in 1934, and the most babies received it in 1943, when 1,468 were named Faye. In 2025, 579 babies were named Faye, and it ranked #515 nationally. That is 98% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #208 in 1920, #211 in 1950, #1,126 in 1980, #2,003 in 2000, #1,415 in 2010, and #515 in 2025. Of the 72,142 US girls named Faye since records began, 19% were born in the 1940s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 12,555 babies. Since 2010, 6,170 more have been named Faye.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Priscilla, Sondra, Maryann, Roseann, and Kay.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Faye ranked highest in Montana, New Hampshire, and New Mexico.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | #182 | 6 |
| New Hampshire | #184 | 7 |
| New Mexico | #223 | 7 |
| Kansas | #240 | 13 |
| Idaho | #258 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Faye is usually pronounced FAY, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with F and ends in “-ye”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Fay.
Middle names for Faye
A few middle names that flow with Faye: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Faye
Similar names
Skye Girl
SKY
“from the Isle of Skye” · Scottish
#532
Paige Girl
PAYJ
“young servant, page” · English
#346
Elle Girl
EHL
“she; short form of Eleanor or Ellen” · French
#461
June Girl
JOON
“the month of June” · English
#150
Jane Girl
JAYN
“God is gracious” · English
#221
Joy Girl
JOY
“joy, happiness” · English
#419
Anne Girl
AN
“grace, favor” · French
#619
Maxine Girl
mak-SEEN
“greatest” · English
#497
Raine Girl
RAYN
“queen; or rain” · English
#1,556
Lou Unisex
LOO
“short for Louis or Louise, famous warrior” · English
#1,929
Evelyn Girl
EH-vuh-luhn
“uncertain; from Norman Aveline” · English
#8
Parker Unisex
PAHR-kur
“park keeper” · English
#102
Lists that include Faye
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Faye mean?
Faye is an English and French name that is usually said to mean “fairy”.
What is the origin of the name Faye?
Faye has English and French roots. Faye comes from the Middle English fay, fairy, which came from the Old French fae.
Is Faye a popular name?
Yes. Faye ranked #515 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Faye a boy or girl name?
Faye is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Faye?
Faye is usually pronounced FAY. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings