Fae

♀ Girl

Pronounced FAY /ˈfeɪ/High

Meaning: Spelling of Fay/Faye — from Middle English 'fairy' (Old French fae) or a short form of FaithMedium

In 30 seconds: Fairy-light and faithful: Fae spells Fay/Faye — 'fairy' or a short form of Faith. Tiny, magical, and sweetly vintage.

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Origin MediumEnglish, French

MeaningSpelling of Fay/Faye — from Middle English 'fairy' (Old French fae) or a short form of Faith

U.S. rank (2025)#3794 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births39 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1916

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,682

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Fae is a spelling of Fay/Faye — from Middle English fay, 'fairy' (Old French fae), or a short form of Faith. A tiny, magical name, the -ae spelling leans into its enchanted, fairy-tale charm.

It registers thinly in records. Rare, fairy-or-faith at the root, and whimsical.

Did you know? Fay comes from Middle English for 'fairy' (Old French fae) — the same root as 'fey' — and also nods to Faith; Fae is its most whimsical spelling.

Overall data confidence 78%

Behind the Name — Fay — root etymology

Variations

FayFayeFey

Nicknames

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If you like Fae…

Fay— the standard spelling

Faye— a fellow spelling

Faith— the virtue it can shorten

Wren— a companion tiny nature-name

Explore names like Fae

By themeenglish french vintage

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Fae mean?

Fae spells Fay/Faye, 'fairy' (Old French fae) or a short form of Faith.

How do you pronounce Fae?

It's said FAY /ˈfeɪ/ — a single syllable.

Is Fae a boy or girl name?

Fae is a girl's name.

How popular is Fae?

Fae is a rare name in the U.S.