Faye
Say it: FAY
GirlMeans often explained as "fairy", or a short form of Faith4 letters1 syllable
#80
in Ireland (2025)
#84 with spellings combined
61
babies in 2025
#43
best rank (2012)
2,684
babies since 1975
Down 40
10-year rank change
Faye through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (girls) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 61 | #84 |
| 2024 | 82 | #67 |
| 2023 | 84 | #68 |
| 2022 | 95 | #55 |
| 2021 | 113 | #54 |
| 2020 | 84 | #65 |
| 2019 | 123 | #48 |
| 2018 | 123 | #48 |
| 2017 | 125 | #50 |
| 2016 | 132 | #47 |
| 2015 | 139 | #44 |
| 2014 | 129 | #52 |
| 2013 | 136 | #49 |
| 2012 | 163 | #43 |
| 2011 | 156 | #49 |
| 2010 | 128 | #56 |
| 2009 | 122 | #60 |
| 2008 | 91 | #77 |
| 2007 | 69 | #87 |
| 2006 | 80 | #74 |
| 2005 | 58 | #101 |
| 2004 | 54 | #98 |
| 2003 | 57 | #91 |
| 2002 | 33 | #134 |
| 2001 | 33 | #131 |
| 2000 | 29 | #142 |
| 1999 | 14 | #227 |
| 1998 | 9 | #270 |
| 1997 | 19 | #226 |
| 1996 | 13 | #259 |
| 1995 | 13 | #261 |
| 1994 | 10 | #297 |
| 1993 | 10 | #300 |
| 1992 | 9 | #323 |
| 1991 | 8 | #338 |
| 1990 | 7 | #357 |
| 1989 | 7 | #353 |
| 1988 | 7 | #359 |
| 1987 | 7 | #362 |
| 1986 | 12 | #285 |
| 1985 | 4 | #456 |
| 1984 | 4 | #459 |
| 1983 | 7 | #365 |
| 1982 | 4 | #467 |
| 1981 | 6 | #386 |
| 1980 | 6 | #401 |
| 1979 | 3 | #523 |
| 1977 | 3 | #518 |
| 1975 | 3 | #503 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Faye mean?
Often explained as "fairy", or a short form of Faith
English, a spelling of Fay, linked with Middle English faie (fairy) and used as a pet form of Faith.
Say it right
FAY
The story of Faye
Faye is a spelling of the English name Fay. Its origin is not fully settled. The usual explanation links it with the Middle English word faie, a fairy. It has also been used as a pet form of Faith, and sometimes of Frances, and some connect it with an Old French word for faith or loyalty. The name has probably drawn on more than one of these.
Fay has often been used as a middle name in English, and both spellings are also surnames.
In Ireland, Faye first reached the CSO list in 1975, given to three baby girls. It climbed through the 2000s and peaked in 2012, when 163 girls were named Faye and it reached number 43. It has eased back since then. Northern Ireland followed a similar path a year behind, with its best place there 48th in 2013.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Faye (English proper noun)
- Wiktionary: Fay (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Faye (given name)
- CSO VSA60, Girls Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, Baby Names in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Faye | 61 | 2,684 |
In Northern Ireland
#121 in 2025 with 17 babies. Best rank #48 (2013); 710 babies since 1997.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.