Find out how popular the first name Fable has been for the last 16 years (from 2008 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Fable by gender

Based on the last 16 years of data, Fable is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 91% of people named Fable being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 27 female babies and 5 male babies born with the name Fable.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 5 baby boys were named Fable in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Fable

The given name Fable has its origins in Latin, deriving from the word "fabula" which translates to "story" or "tale". This name gained popularity during the Medieval period, particularly in areas of Europe where Latin was widely spoken and studied.

In ancient Roman times, the word "fabula" was commonly used to refer to fictional stories, often with moral lessons or allegorical meanings. As such, the name Fable could have been associated with storytellers, poets, or those with a penchant for spinning tales.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Fable can be found in the works of the Roman philosopher and playwright Seneca the Younger, who lived from approximately 4 BC to 65 AD. He wrote several "fabulae" or plays, some of which have survived to this day.

In the Middle Ages, the name Fable gained further recognition through the literary works of the French poet and fabulist, Marie de France. Born around 1160, she is renowned for her collection of fables and lais, which were short narrative poems often featuring animals as characters with human traits.

During the Renaissance period, the Italian writer and philosopher Giovanni Battista Giraldi, also known as Gian Battista Giraldi Cinthio (1504-1573), published a collection of stories entitled "Hecatommithi" or "Hundred Fables". This work is believed to have influenced other notable writers such as William Shakespeare.

In the 17th century, the French fabulist Jean de La Fontaine (1621-1695) achieved immense popularity for his collection of fables, known as "Fables de La Fontaine". These stories, which often featured anthropomorphized animals as characters, were widely read and appreciated for their wit and moral lessons.

Another notable figure with the name Fable was the English writer and critic John Fable (1660-1721), who is best known for his work on literary criticism and his translations of ancient Greek and Latin texts.

While the name Fable may not be as common today, it has a rich literary and cultural history, reflecting a connection to storytelling, imagination, and the art of conveying moral lessons through fables and tales.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Fable was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Fable, please contact us.

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