Is Fay a boy's or girl's name?

Fay is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 4,118 recorded births.

When was Fay most popular?

Fay reached its peak popularity in 1926 with 722 births that year. It is currently ranked #3403 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Fay?

Fay is currently ranked #3403 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 32,019 babies since 1880.

Fay

An uncommon Old French pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysOld FrenchRising fast Also a pet name

#3403▲ 817in 2024

Meaning & Origin

An Anglo-Irish surname transferred from the nickname, Anglicized from de Fae a Norman family that settled in Ireland.

Fay is a girl's and boy's baby name of Old French origin, from the Old French fae meaning 'fairy' or 'enchantment' — a name that carries the magical, otherworldly quality of fairy folklore.

With over 32,000 recorded U.S. births, Fay (and its variant Faye) has been used steadily since the late 19th century. Actress Faye Dunaway gave it a glamorous Hollywood stamp. It's a name of pure vintage charm — small, magical, and perfectly formed.

Compare Fay with another name

Popularity Over Time

Fay climbed 1708 spots in the last 20 years — from #5111 to #3403.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Fay
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	194	#3860	▼
2010s	311	#4715	▲
2000s	229	#5639	▲
1990s	170	#5825	▼
1980s	316	#2993	▼
1970s	524	#1855	▼
1960s	1,740	#825	▼
1950s	3,130	#516	▼
1940s	4,197	#355	▼
1930s	5,762	#258	—
1920s	6,304	#260	▲
1910s	5,473	#228	▲
1900s	2,078	#221	▲
1890s	1,180	#253	▲
1880s	411	#334	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Fay
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	46	#3403	+12 (35.3%)
2023	34	#4220	-4 (-10.5%)
2022	38	#3906	-5 (-11.6%)
2021	43	#3568	+10 (30.3%)
2020	33	#4201	-5 (-13.2%)
2019	38	#3867	-1 (-2.6%)
2018	39	#3806	+13 (50.0%)
2017	26	#5095	-19 (-42.2%)
2016	45	#3486	+20 (80.0%)
2015	25	#5348	-9 (-26.5%)
2014	34	#4302	+8 (30.8%)
2013	26	#5192	-4 (-13.3%)
2012	30	#4757	+4 (15.4%)
2011	26	#5264	+4 (18.2%)
2010	22	#6037	-4 (-15.4%)
2009	26	#5438	+6 (30.0%)
2008	20	#6637	-6 (-23.1%)
2007	26	#5424	-1 (-3.7%)
2006	27	#5136	+11 (68.8%)
2005	16	#7249	-9 (-36.0%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Fay as a Boy's Name

Though more common for girls, Fay has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 4,118 births since 1880.

Unranked

Current rank

4,118

Total births

1916

Peak year

Compare Fay as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Fay be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Fay is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #3403. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Fay has two lives

Fay, the baby name

#3403girls

32,019 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology

Fay