She’s a fairy, she’s an enchantress, and she’s been the love interest of the world’s biggest ape. Could this choice also be an ideal appellation for a daughter?
Thanks to Another for suggesting our Name of the Day: Faye.
There are three possible origins for Fay. The stronger claim is probably the Middle English term for fairy – faie. In Old French, it was fae; in Latin, fata, as in the Fates – a trio of goddesses responsible for controlling each man’s destiny. In Arthurian legend, Morgan Le Fay was King Arthur’s trouble-making sorceress half-sister. “Le Fay” refers to her otherworldly heritage. Combined, they lend this moniker a fanciful, mystical vibe.
The alternate meaning is solidly spiritual. The Anglo-Norman fei meant faith, from the Latin fides. The Middle English term was fai or fay. Even Shakespeare used fay to mean faith. Some contend that Fay/e is simply another variant of Faith. The third century Saint Faith of Gaul is also called Fides, Foy and yup, Fay.
Lastly, Fay and Faye are both in use as surnames. The Irish O’Fataigh sometimes became Fay/e. In France, surnames like Du Fay and De Fay were Anglicized to Fay.
Our money is on the first and third explanations. Faye was not a common given name until the 19th century, a creative moment in baby naming when other names from myth and legend were newly fashionable. We suspect the surname argument carries some weight, too, because while most Fay/es are female, US census records show that it was also a masculine moniker in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Today, Faye conjures up the silver screen. First there’s Fay Wray, the actress best known for portraying Ann Darrow, the damsel toted up the Empire State building in 1933′s King Kong. Then there’s the Oscar-winning actress Faye Dunaway. Liv Tyler played a fictional Faye in 1996′s That Thing You Do! The name is not quite a silver screen staple, but she’s appeared in credits throughout the 20th century and beyond.
While Fay and Faye are familiar, either spelling would make an distinctive choice for a daughter born in 2008. Fay regularly ranked in the 200s between 1888 and 1940, but last appeared in 1968. Faye fared better, charting in the Top 200 from 1926 to 1948 and remaining ranked until 1979. While we’re usually against extra letters, we do think Faye is the stronger spelling.
With Faith in the Top 100 and Rae and Mae popular choices for middle names, Faye’s sound is quite current. The one possible drawback – the use of the term fay to mean effeminate – seems almost forgotten.
If your tastes tend towards the unusual, but you can’t imagine calling your daughter Evadne or Eulalie, Faye might be the ideal choice. She has an undercurrent of the fantastic, but the name is simple and straight-forward. In either the first or the middle spot, she’s a nice blend of the underused and the classic.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I like Faye. She ‘s light, airy & above all, mystical. She appeals to the huge Rengeek living in me.
I like her much more than Faith but less than Eulalie (which remains firmly in my top 6). That mystical thing is what keeps her on my lists. Fresh & sprightly, she’d make a wonderful sister for Fern, Jane or Alice. I’d love to meet a horde of them!
Something about Fae really intrigues me. I do love the ‘ae’ but could never see using Rae at all. Fay seems incomplete, Faye’s the way to go. I’d love to meet a little Faye, and may get to one day, she’s my friend Marissa’s top choice, with the ‘e’ at the end too!
I do like Faith, but met a Faythe once and can’t get over it. Funnily enough, Lola, Marissa’s old choice used to be Fern, but then Faye became her #1.
I love Faye! (And I am one of the Rae-haters.) Because I’m a Christian who is into the mythological and romantic, I love the possible dual meaning of this name, though I’ll admit that the fairy bit appeals to me most. It’s lovely. I’d be most likely to stick it in the middle slot, though, as I tend to prefer longer first names. One of my students last year had this as her middle name.
I really like this name and often toy w/ using it as a mn. Faye seems more complete to me.
Maybe as a middle name. It’ is kind of a light and airy sounding name. I have a cousin who was named Fean – with an accent over the e. Her mother thought thiis was a French name for Fay Anne (I kind of doubt it’s a name they use in France). Mother wanted it pronounced fay-ON. But most people just called her Fayanne. Her brother teased her and called her Feen. Anyway she changed her name to Raine (pronounced like Rainy) because she never liked her name.
Ah you see I’m not so fond of Faye, she sounds too light and unsubstantial to my ears, I prefer Faith but inspite of my fondness for virtue names even she doesn’t grab me.
I LOVE Fae/Faye! She’s sweet & feminine while being a viable choice for an adult. Amber Fae is on my list
I’m in love with a girl called Fay…
Fae is an unexpected front-runner for me these days. I am now in my 3rd trimester expecting a little girl and at first liked the romantic, very Spanish style names, and the whimsical or even Germanic sounding names. On my front runners list i currently have the names: Maya, Petra, Shylo, and am pairing it with either Catalina or Faye…but now the name Fae, (my moms middle name) meaning faith paired with my grandmothers name “Catalina” meaning pure, has a great meaning when put together: “Pure Faith”. This is also an uncommon, only 3 letter name that is classic and feminine. I also like that the name may also mean Fairy giving her an other-worldy, fantastical, imaginative feel. I am just at a loss as to which one will take the top spot as first name and middle name with the last name of Apostol. This will also be a multi-cultural girl whose family hails from both the Phillippines and Honduras, and even some parts of Europe. Hopefully I can find a combination that has the mass appeal.
Fae is different than the other names you’re considering, but I love the idea of Fae Catalina. Fae is tough to pin down, and I always think that’s a good quality for multi-cultural naming challenges.
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