Lafaye
A girl's name of French origin with 308 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname from French.
Lafaye is a girl's baby name of French origin, connected to the French surname La Faye or Fay — from the Old French fae or fee meaning 'fairy, enchanted being' — giving Lafaye the meaning 'of the fairies' or 'fairy-born.' The La- prefix simply means 'the' in French, making the name 'the fairy.'
Lafaye carries the magical, enchanted quality of fairy folklore while having a warm, Southern American character. It was used most in the American South during the early-to-mid 20th century, where the French naming tradition of Louisiana and Cajun culture influenced naming choices across the region.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Lafaye belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their open, approachable ending — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression. At one syllable, it has a punchy, memorable cadence that makes an immediate impression.
Within the French naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring French names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Lafaye’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Lafaye has 48+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1918.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 11 | #13316 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 37 | #11458 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 45 | #8008 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 34 | #5920 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 32 | #5436 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 38 | #4851 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 55 | #3456 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 44 | #4072 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 12 | #4549 | — |
The Story of Lafaye
A Silent Generation name
Peaking in 1930, Lafaye is an elegant vintage name. Girls named Lafaye are most likely born between 1920 and 1940.
How rare is Lafaye?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Lafaye is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1918, peaked in the 1930s with 55 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Lafaye by the numbers
- Would fill 6 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(48 years, 1918–1992)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 5 | #14457 |
| 1990 | 6 | #12174 |
| 1989 | 5 | #13509 |
| 1988 | 5 | #12876 |
| 1986 | 5 | #11873 |
| 1983 | 6 | #9615 |
| 1982 | 5 | #11384 |
| 1981 | 5 | #11248 |
| 1980 | 6 | #9704 |
| 1979 | 6 | #9572 |
| 1978 | 9 | #6663 |
| 1975 | 6 | #8517 |
| 1973 | 6 | #7915 |
| 1972 | 6 | #7743 |
| 1971 | 5 | #8957 |
| 1970 | 7 | #6691 |
| 1966 | 5 | #7094 |
| 1965 | 8 | #5060 |
| 1964 | 8 | #5231 |
| 1963 | 5 | #7128 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lafaye a boy's or girl's name?
When was Lafaye most popular?
How popular is the name Lafaye?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1918–1992