The first name Fay

In 2025, 8 girls were named Fay, making it the 3,035th most popular girls’ name. It peaked in 1996, with 91 births (#368).

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Fay with other names.

In 2025, 39 girls born in the United States were named Fay, the 3,795th most popular girls’ name that year. It was used most in 1926, when 722 were.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

• Fay Bainter
  American actress (1893–1968)
• Fay Wray
  Actress (1907-2004)
• Fay Weldon
  British writer (1931–2023)
• Fay McKenzie
  American actress (1918-2019)
• Fay Ajzenberg-Selove
  American nuclear physicist (1926–2012)
• Fay Compton
  English actress (1894–1978)
• Fay Holden
  American actress (1893-1973)
• Fay Kanin
  American screenwriter, playwright and producer (1917–2013)
• Fay Moulton
  Athletics and American football competitor (1876–1945)
• Fay Masterson
  British actress, born 1974
• Fay Baker
  American actress, novelist (1917-1987)
• Fay Helm
  Actress (1909-2003)

How popular is the name Fay?

In 2025, 8 girls born in England and Wales were named Fay, ranking 3,035th. Its peak was 1996, with 91 births.

Is Fay a boy's or a girl's name?

Both. Of the 36,177 US babies named Fay since 1880, 89% were girls and 11% boys.

When was Fay most popular?

1926 in the United States, when 722 babies were named Fay, its highest rank at 243rd.

How do you pronounce Fay?

Fay is /feɪ/, one syllable.

What are other spellings of Fay?

Faye.

Is Fay also a surname?

Yes. Fay is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.