Faye

Pronunciation: [ f-AY ]

Girl Name #539 Most Popular Rising 1 Syllable

A magical one-syllable name from fairy lore

English American Welsh

Whimsical Vintage Elegant Minimalist Gentle

Meaning & Origin

"fairy, enchantment"

Origin: Old French

Language: English

"faith, trust"

Origin: Latin

Language: English

The Story of Faye

Faye comes from the Middle English and Old French word 'fae' or 'fay', meaning 'fairy' or 'enchantment'. It may also be a short form of Faith, from the Latin 'fides' meaning trust or belief. The fairy connection gives the name a whimsical, otherworldly quality that has made it enduringly appealing across centuries.

Faye was popular in the early 20th century, fell from fashion mid-century, and has been experiencing a strong revival since the 2010s as parents embrace short, vintage names with personality. Its single-syllable crispness and fairy-tale associations make it attractive to modern parents.

In Welsh and English folklore, the 'fae' were supernatural beings with both benevolent and mischievous qualities. The name Faye connects to this rich tradition of fairy folklore. Morgan le Faye, the powerful sorceress of Arthurian legend, is one of literature's most famous bearers of the fae connection.

Fun Facts

Morgan le Faye is one of the most powerful figures in Arthurian legend
Faye has been in the US top 1000 consistently since records began
The word 'fairy' itself comes from the same Old French root 'fae'

Faye in Other Languages

Welsh Faye

French Fée

English Faye

Spanish Faye

Famous People Named Faye

Faye Wong

Musician

1969

Iconic Hong Kong-based Cantopop singer, often called the 'Diva of Asia'

Faye Dunaway

Actor

1941

Academy Award-winning American actress known for Bonnie and Clyde and Chinatown

Morgan le Faye Fictional

Other

Powerful enchantress and half-sister to King Arthur in Arthurian legend

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 1
Popularity Rank: #539
Total SSA Count: 559
Cultural Origins: English American Welsh
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Fay #3384

Pairs Well With

Faye Elizabeth Faye Marie Faye Grace Faye Louise Faye Alexandra Faye Catherine

Sibling Names

Ivy June Beau Lena Cole Stella

Also a Boy Name

Faye is also used as a boy name, ranked #19954.

View Faye as a boy name →

Similar Names

May Fay Rae Mai Jay Craig Kay Gray

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Faye

What does the name Faye mean?

"fairy, enchantment" (from Old French). "faith, trust" (from Latin). Faye comes from the Middle English and Old French word 'fae' or 'fay', meaning 'fairy' or 'enchantment'. It may also be a short form of Faith, from the Latin 'fides' meaning trust or belief. The fairy connection gives the name a whimsical, otherworldly quality that has made it enduringly appealing across centuries.

What is the origin of the name Faye?

Faye has Old French, Latin, English, American, and Welsh origins. In Old French, it means "fairy, enchantment". In Latin, it means "faith, trust".

Is Faye a boy or girl name?

Faye is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #539. As a boy name, it is ranked #19954. Faye is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Faye?

Faye is pronounced f-AY.

How popular is the name Faye?

Faye is currently ranked #539 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are good middle names for Faye?

Popular middle name pairings include Faye Elizabeth, Faye Marie, Faye Grace, Faye Louise, Faye Alexandra, and Faye Catherine.

What are good sibling names for Faye?

Names that pair well with Faye as siblings include Ivy, June, Beau, Lena, Cole, and Stella.

How many syllables does Faye have?

Faye has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Faye a common or rare name?

Faye is moderately common, ranked #539 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Faye

Faye is a girl name with English, American, and Welsh origins . The name means "fairy, enchantment" in Old French .

Is Faye a boy or girl name? Faye is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #539 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #19,954. Faye is more commonly used as a girl name.

Faye is currently ranked #539 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Faye has 1 syllable and is pronounced f-AY, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Alternative spellings of Faye include Fay . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.