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At a Glance
- Meaning
- A fairy
- Origin
- English (from Middle English fay/fae, via Old French fée and Latin fata)
- Gender
- Primarily used for girls
- Pronunciation
- FAY
Fae is an English name that traces back through Middle English fay/fae, Old French fée, and Latin fata, and it carries one clear meaning: a fairy. That folklore connection isn't a stretch or a modern add-on — it's built directly into the word's history. It's a short name with a long paper trail, showing up in U.S. records for well over a century.
Meaning & Origin of Fae
Meaning: A fairy.
Origin: English (from Middle English fay/fae, via Old French fée and Latin fata).
How to Pronounce Fae
FAYIPA /feɪ/
Popularity of Fae
Social Security data on Fae runs from 1889 to 2024, and its high point was back in 1897, when it ranked #683 with 21 babies given the name. By 2024 it had dropped to #4216, though the actual count that year was 34 babies — slightly more than at its 1897 peak, just far less common relative to other names being used now.
Names Like Fae
These names have followed a similar path to Fae in U.S. popularity over the years.
FAQ
What does the name Fae mean?
A fairy.
How do you pronounce Fae?
Fae is pronounced FAY (IPA: /feɪ/).
Is Fae a popular name right now?
Fae peaked at #683 in 1897 and is ranked #4216 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1889–2024.)
Make Fae Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Fae, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Fae? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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