Fay Unisex
Origin(s)
PronunciationFay / /feɪ/English; Old French
Meaning
English: fairy; Old French: loyal
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Fay has roots in both English and Old French. In English, it is often associated with the word for fairy, reflecting a connection to folklore and mythology. The name has been used for both genders, though it is more commonly given to girls. In literature, Fay has appeared as a character name, further embedding it in cultural narratives.
Trend Summary
The name Fay has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., often ranking lower in recent decades.
Similar Names
Variants
- Faye
International Variants
- Fé (French)
- Fay (Irish)
Famous people named Fay
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Fictional characters named Fay
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Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Fay was first seen in the United States in 1880. Fay has ranked as high as #687 nationally, which occurred in 1916, and has been most popular in New York, Arkansas, Iowa, Michigan, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Fay has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Fay (1950)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 7 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880 | 15 |
| 1881 | 15 |
| 1882 | 15 |
| 1883 | 15 |
| 1884 | 20 |
| 1885 | 18 |
| 1886 | 25 |
| 1887 | 17 |
| 1888 | 14 |
| 1889 | 19 |
| 1890 | 25 |
| 1891 | 21 |
| 1892 | 20 |
| 1893 | 35 |
| 1894 | 34 |
| 1895 | 23 |
| 1896 | 21 |
| 1897 | 13 |
| 1898 | 25 |
| 1899 | 23 |
| 1900 | 30 |
| 1901 | 26 |
| 1902 | 32 |
| 1903 | 36 |
| 1904 | 19 |
| 1905 | 28 |
| 1906 | 15 |
| 1907 | 15 |
| 1908 | 20 |
| 1909 | 28 |
| 1910 | 24 |
| 1911 | 27 |
| 1912 | 56 |
| 1913 | 83 |
| 1914 | 102 |
| 1915 | 141 |
| 1916 | 153 |
| 1917 | 142 |
| 1918 | 123 |
| 1919 | 148 |
| 1920 | 134 |
| 1921 | 128 |
| 1922 | 129 |
| 1923 | 122 |
| 1924 | 113 |
| 1925 | 119 |
| 1926 | 111 |
| 1927 | 97 |
| 1928 | 88 |
| 1929 | 80 |
| 1930 | 83 |
| 1931 | 82 |
| 1932 | 71 |
| 1933 | 79 |
| 1934 | 83 |
| 1935 | 71 |
| 1936 | 61 |
| 1937 | 47 |
| 1938 | 53 |
| 1939 | 42 |
| 1940 | 59 |
| 1941 | 43 |
| 1942 | 50 |
| 1943 | 38 |
| 1944 | 40 |
| 1945 | 32 |
| 1946 | 34 |
| 1947 | 33 |
| 1948 | 20 |
| 1949 | 33 |
| 1950 | 20 |
| 1951 | 20 |
| 1952 | 21 |
| 1953 | 18 |
| 1954 | 14 |
| 1955 | 21 |
| 1956 | 16 |
| 1957 | 16 |
| 1958 | 13 |
| 1959 | 12 |
| 1960 | 12 |
| 1961 | 16 |
| 1962 | 11 |
| 1963 | 9 |
| 1964 | 9 |
| 1965 | 5 |
| 1967 | 9 |
| 1968 | 6 |
| 1969 | 10 |
| 1970 | 5 |
| 1971 | 6 |
| 1972 | 5 |
| 1976 | 8 |