Fairy Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name 'Fairy' originates from Middle English and has its roots in Old French and Latin. It refers to a mythical being with magical abilities. The language path evolved from 'faerie' to 'fairy'. Fairies are typically viewed as enchanting figures in folklore and literature, and there are no significant biblical references associated with the term. The concept gained popularity during the medieval period and continues to be a beloved theme in modern storytelling.
The name Fairy is most popular in Kentucky, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Fairy has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South. Across generations, 'Fairy' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 886th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1276th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3138th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 33240th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 16328th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Fairy' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Fairy"
Pronunciation
/ˈfɛəri/
Origin
Middle English
Etymology
The word 'fairy' is derived from the Middle English word 'faerie', which comes from the Old French 'faerie', meaning 'enchantment' or 'magical realm'. It is ultimately rooted in the Latin 'fata', meaning 'fate' or 'the Fates'.
Meaning
A mythical being often depicted as having magical powers and a delicate appearance.
Language Evolution
Old French: faerie, Middle English: faerie, Modern English: fairy
Historical Usage
The term gained popularity in the late medieval period as stories of fairies became prominent in European folklore and literature.
Variants & Derivatives
Faerie, Fay, Fae
Modern Popularity & Image
Fairies are commonly perceived as whimsical and enchanting creatures, often associated with childhood and fantasy genres. They are popular in literature, films, and art.
Famous People
William Shakespeare, J.M. Barrie, C.S. Lewis
Explore More Fairy Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Fairy"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Fairy"
"Fairy" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 886th of 9107 | 1,185 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1276th of 9204 | 644 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3138th of 12526 | 267 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 33240th of 35406 | 6 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 16328th of 30306 | 45 |
Regional Popularity of "Fairy" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Fairy" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
65.61% 929th/1416 |
79.91% 1102nd/1379 |
34.49% 816th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
80.60% 1246th/1546 |
- |
45.22% 1064th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
100.00% 2853rd/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Fairy"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Fairy" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.