Declining since 2022, #3,780 for girls today.
Popularity of Fae since 1889
Babies named Fae per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1916, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Fae's real moment was 1897.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 6 |
| 1890s | 109 |
| 1900s | 181 |
| 1910s | 513 |
| 1920s | 560 |
| 1930s | 318 |
| 1940s | 202 |
| 1950s | 168 |
| 1960s | 60 |
| 1970s | 39 |
| 1980s | 11 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 46 |
| 2010s | 220 |
| 2020s | 245 |
Meaning & origin
Fae is a vintage name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1889, reaching its peak popularity in 1897. After a long decline, it saw a modest uptick in recent years but remains rare, with a 2025 rank of 3,780 and an incidence of 1 in 41,212. Its trajectory has been falling since 2022, though it retains a delicate, fairy-tale quality that appeals to parents seeking an uncommon, ethereal name. Fae has no recorded top states, suggesting broad but sparse usage across the country.
The name Fae likely originates from the Old English word 'fae' meaning 'fairy', or as a variant of the name Fay, which itself may derive from Old French 'fae' (fairy) or as a short form of Faith. It emerged in the late 19th century, fitting the Victorian fashion for delicate, whimsical names. Fae saw peak usage in 1897 and has since declined, though it retains a vintage charm.
“Fae” around the world
Where Fae lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
4
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Sibling names for Fae
Names that share Fae's style, for a brother or sister.
