Comments
Meaning
Usage
Pronunciation
Famous
Impression
Other
As someone else has pointed out, Fay has been used as a male given name in the USA, and actually is older in that use than it is as a female name. However, as a male name the origin would be different -- not from the word meaning "fairy" or "supernatural", but a transfer from the surname Fay, which itself has several origins. As an English surname it can be from the word meaning "fairy", but more often is from a Norman French place name meaning "beech tree". In Ireland, the surname Fay is an alternative form of both Fahy, from Gaelic "fothadh", meaning "foundation"; and Fee or Foy, from Gaelic "Fiach", meaning "raven." [noted -ed]
6
6
Also Dutch: https://nvb.meertens.knaw.nl/naam/is/Fay
2
2
Fay Chung is a Zimbabwean educator and was an independent candidate for the 2008 Zimbabwean senatorial election. Chung has worked to extend access to education and to bring education-with-production principles into school curricula in Zimbabwe and other developing countries.
1
1
Fay D. Bellamy Powell (1938 – 2013) was an African-American civil rights activist.
1
1
Fay Crocker (1914 – 1983) was a Uruguayan professional golfer who played on the LPGA Tour. In her career, she won 11 LPGA tournaments, including two major championships, the 1955 U.S. Women's Open and 1960 Titleholders Championship. Crocker was the oldest player to win her first LPGA event, the first U.S. Women's Open champion from outside the United States, and the oldest women's major champion.
1
1
Fay Zwicky (born Julia Fay Rosefield; 1933 – 2017) was an Australian poet, short story writer, critic and academic primarily known for her autobiographical poem Kaddish, which deals with her identity as a Jewish writer.
1
1
My name is Fay (My full name is Faylynn but I go by Fay) It’s a very pretty delicate, feminine and unique name you don’t find often it’s old but classic and I love my name.
2
2
Faye is so much better.
2
2
If I ever have a daughter I'm going to name her Fay, it's adorable and I love the meaning, imagine a little Fae Fae ❤❤❤.
3
3
I like this better than Faye.
Fay just seems lighter and more fairy-like whereas Faye feels a bit more dated. But I like them both.
5
Fay just seems lighter and more fairy-like whereas Faye feels a bit more dated. But I like them both.
5
I like it. I prefer it to Faye.
3
3
I love this name! Along with Fae (I prefer Fae more because it's more close to the word 'Faerie') I love Fairies and Pixies all that jazz so automatically I love this name! I don't know if I would name a child it though. Having a three letter name that begins with FA can be a little risky... Still a favorite! :)
4
4
I'm so happy to hear that Fay is also a shortened form of the word faith. My name is Fay but my mother really wanted to call me Faith because it was faith that kept her going throughout her pregnancy. The doctor had told her she should not have any more children since she nearly died with my sister just before I was born. I would rather be considered a "Faith" than a "Fairy".
6
6
I think of Morgan le Fay from Arthurian legend which is why I like it so much.
3
3
Fay is such a beautiful name, at least to me, a native English speaker. It sounds so soft. It is lovely. I think it's prettier as a middle name with this spelling and Fay(e) for a first name. And Fay being a word that literally means fairy. :)
5
5
Finally I found the 'historical steps' of the name Fay.
Fatum (Latin) - Fata (Latin) - Fae / Faie (Old French) - Feie / Fée (Middle French) - Faie / Fei (Old English) - Fay (Late Middle English) - Faye (English/Modern).
3
Fatum (Latin) - Fata (Latin) - Fae / Faie (Old French) - Feie / Fée (Middle French) - Faie / Fei (Old English) - Fay (Late Middle English) - Faye (English/Modern).
3
It's definitely too short and simple for me in whichever spelling, but I like its Celtic-ness.
1
1
Fay Wildhagen is a Norwegian singer.
0
0
Also used as a male name into the 1940s, probably as a nickname of Fayette.
3
3
Fay Chiang is an Asian American poet, writer, visual artist and activist based in New York City. Her books are In The City of Contradictions, and Miwa’s Song. 7 Continents, 9 Lives, a collection of selected and new poetry published by Bowery Press.
2
2
Fay Alexander was a stunt man and circus acrobat. He was one of the first trapeze artists to perform a triple somersault. Alexander performed it routinely. In Hollywood, he performed stunts for Tony Curtis and Doris Day and was in several movies about circus life.
2
2
I prefer the spelling of Faye more.
3
3
This name is not English, it has Irish and French Roots- please fix it. It doesn't mean fairy either. It means foundation or in gaelic Fothadh, The gaelic variant is O'Fathaigh. I'm sick and tired of all these people claiming it as fairy, there is already a surname for that. Spelling also varies with this name. It can be Fahey, Faye, O'Fahy, Fee and so many more. Please fix this. Fay was an actual clan as well and you are disgracing it.
1
1
The name Fay was given to 25 girls born in the US in 2015.
2
2
From the Online Etymology Dictionary (http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=fairy)
Fairy (n.) c. 1300, fairie, "the country or home of supernatural or legendary creatures; fairyland," also "something incredible or fictitious," from Old French #faerie# "land of fairies, meeting of fairies; enchantment, magic, witchcraft, sorcery" (12c.), from #fae# "Fay," from Latin #fata# "the Fates," plural of #fatum# "that which is ordained; destiny, fate," from Proto-Indo-European #*bha-# "to speak". [noted -ed]
1
Fairy (n.) c. 1300, fairie, "the country or home of supernatural or legendary creatures; fairyland," also "something incredible or fictitious," from Old French #faerie# "land of fairies, meeting of fairies; enchantment, magic, witchcraft, sorcery" (12c.), from #fae# "Fay," from Latin #fata# "the Fates," plural of #fatum# "that which is ordained; destiny, fate," from Proto-Indo-European #*bha-# "to speak". [noted -ed]
1
"Fay" could also be a diminuative of "Phaedra."
1
1
It's an okayish, short sounding name but I suppose the meaning is cute. Fay is far too simple and doesn't suit my taste, however. Tips: I would veto against the spelling "Fey" as it actually means “fated to die"! Also, be aware that the "Fae" spelling honestly looks kinda trendy and trashy. :/ In my opinion, the other variant "Faye" doesn't do the name any justice as it's a short sounding name no matter what (I would leave the unnecessary 'e' out).
-1
-1
Actually, I've changed my mind now. I prefer the Fae spelling over Fay and I don't think the Fae spelling looks "trashy" anymore. (I take it back.) ^^; However, I still think the "Faye" spelling is awful. D:
0
0
This is my middle name, and I love it much more then my first name. :) I'm tempted to start introducing myself as Fay but that might get confusing. :/
2
2
The name Fay was given to 30 baby girls born in the US in 2012.
1
1
I think it's a cool name. I think I'd rather use it In the middle spot, though.
1
1
Distinguished British actress Fay Compton (1894-1978).
The sister of famous novelist Sir Compton Mackenzie, she was born Virginia Lilian Emmeline Compton Mackenzie.
Her sister Viola Compton was also an actress.
1
The sister of famous novelist Sir Compton Mackenzie, she was born Virginia Lilian Emmeline Compton Mackenzie.
Her sister Viola Compton was also an actress.
1
Fay can be unisex. As in Fay Vincent, born Francis, the former commissioner of Major League Baseball.
2
2
Honestly I hate this name as a first name. But I love it as a middle name. My name is Katelynn Fay and I think it goes good just I couldn't imagine a girl named Fay.
0
0
It's such a beautiful name, but I wouldn't it as a name because of the invetiable Fay is gay immaturity.
0
0
But I am Fay and gay.
2
2
Fay is a character in Nathaniel West's book "The Day of the Locust."
1
1
I really like this name. I think it sounds so earthy and natural and is very uncommon. It's a nice middle name too.
1
1
Can also mean Faith as in the Spanish word, "fe."
2
2
I like the spelling "Faie" so much better!
-2
-2
This is such a pretty name, but in my mind would only suit a girl that was small and petite.
1
1
A famous bearer is British novelist and feminist Fay Weldon.
1
1
A famous bearer is Fay Bainter (December 7, 1893 – April 16, 1968), an American actress. She won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Aunt Belle Massey in the 1938 film "Jezebel". Receiving an additional nomination for "The Children's Hour" (1961), she also appeared on Broadway in "Dodsworth", and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1
1
This also means "to fit tightly".
1
1
In the dictionary it means "magical".
2
2
It is also derived from the word 'faith'.
2
2
Actress Fay Wray (1907-2004), who played King Kong's object of desire, was a famous bearer of this name.
1
1
Comments are left by users of this website. They are not checked for accuracy.