Faye Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Faye has its roots in Middle English, derived from the word for 'fairy' or 'elf.' It evolved from Old French and has maintained a whimsical meaning throughout its history. The name is not associated with any biblical references. Faye gained popularity in the late 19th century and is seen as a graceful and enchanting name today. Common variants include Fay and Fae, and notable people with the name include actress Faye Dunaway and singer Faye Wong.
The name Faye is most popular in Arkansas, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Silent Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. 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, Faye has been too falling for female in MidWest, too falling for female in Northeast, too falling for female in South, too falling for female in West. 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, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Faye' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2054th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2400th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3665th out of 7552 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 209th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 168th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 270th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 764th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1626th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1745th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 689th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Faye' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Faye"
Pronunciation
/feɪ/
Origin
Middle English
Etymology
The name Faye is derived from the Middle English term 'faie,' which means 'fairy' or 'elf.' It is rooted in the Old French word 'fae,' which refers to a fairy or enchantress.
Meaning
fairy, enchantress
Language Evolution
Old French: fae, Middle English: faie, Modern English: Faye
Historical Usage
Faye gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often associated with a sense of whimsy and fantasy.
Variants & Derivatives
Fay, Fae, Fayla
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Faye is perceived as a charming and whimsical name, often associated with qualities of grace and beauty. It remains moderately popular in various cultures.
Famous People
Faye Dunaway - American actress, Faye Wong - Chinese singer and actress
Explore More Faye Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Faye"
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 "Faye"
"Faye" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2054th of 7545 | 246 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2400th of 6773 | 182 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3665th of 7552 | 90 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 209th of 9107 | 16,917 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 168th of 9204 | 22,982 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 270th of 12526 | 18,777 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 764th of 19264 | 3,015 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1626th of 27321 | 1,381 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1745th of 35406 | 1,828 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 689th of 30306 | 5,039 |
Regional Popularity of "Faye" 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 "Faye" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
12.29% 174th/1416 |
20.16% 278th/1379 |
7.44% 176th/2366 |
14.89% 170th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
11.84% 183rd/1546 |
13.95% 217th/1556 |
5.48% 129th/2353 |
13.32% 206th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
12.39% 276th/2227 |
12.92% 314th/2430 |
7.71% 220th/2853 |
14.49% 402nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
25.26% 742nd/2937 |
23.11% 805th/3483 |
20.07% 706th/3518 |
25.45% 1029th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
43.99% 1621st/3685 |
33.16% 1484th/4475 |
49.83% 2588th/5194 |
31.06% 1962nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
34.81% 1595th/4582 |
27.50% 1420th/5164 |
37.19% 2720th/7313 |
21.56% 1609th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
14.03% 559th/3984 |
13.15% 590th/4487 |
15.29% 1043rd/6822 |
9.10% 571st/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Faye"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Faye" 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.