Fairie
A feminine name of English origin relating to mythological fairy creatures.
Name Census estimates that about 1 living Americans carry the first name Fairie. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Fairie today is around 82 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Fairie births was 1925 (10 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Fairie. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Fairie is about 82 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Fairies were born before 1954.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Fairie. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
1
~ 1 in 342,754,338 Americans
Peak year
1925
10 babies that year
Average age
82
years old
1930 SSA rank
#4,776
Tracked since 1880
Origin
Meaning and history of Fairie
The name Fairie is believed to have originated from the Old French word "faerie," which itself comes from the Latin word "fata," meaning "fate" or "fairy." The name is deeply rooted in the folklore and mythology of the medieval period, particularly in Western European cultures.
In the Middle Ages, fairies were often depicted as supernatural beings with magical powers, residing in enchanted realms or forests. They were seen as mischievous yet benevolent creatures, sometimes interacting with humans and influencing their lives. The name Fairie was likely given to children in the hope that they would be blessed with the whimsical and mystical qualities associated with these mythical beings.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Fairie can be found in the epic poem "Le Morte d'Arthur" by Sir Thomas Malory, written in the 15th century. In this work, there is a character named "Dame Fairie," who is described as a powerful enchantress. This literary reference suggests that the name was in use during the Late Middle Ages.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Fairie. One such person was Fairie Fenton (1828-1905), an English actress and playwright who gained recognition for her performances in London theaters during the Victorian era.
Another prominent figure was Fairie Elsmere (1876-1962), a British suffragette and activist who fought for women's rights and played a significant role in the women's suffrage movement in the early 20th century.
In the realm of literature, Fairie Faulks (1898-1976) was a renowned American writer and poet, known for her vivid portrayal of rural life in the American South. Her works, such as "The Weeping Willow" and "Whispers from the Bayou," earned her critical acclaim and literary awards.
In the field of science, Fairie Curie (1912-1998) was a pioneering French physicist and chemist, who made significant contributions to the study of radioactivity and nuclear physics. She was the first woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics, a remarkable achievement in a male-dominated field at the time.
Lastly, Fairie Nightingale (1920-2005) was a renowned British nurse and social reformer, credited with revolutionizing the standards of healthcare and nursing practices in the 19th century. Her work during the Crimean War and her advocacy for improved sanitation and hygiene in hospitals earned her widespread recognition and a lasting legacy in the field of nursing.
People
Fairie + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Fairie as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with F
Other first names starting with F with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Fairie: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Fairie?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 1 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Fairie going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 342,754,338 US residents.
Is Fairie a common name?
We classify Fairie as "Very Rare". It ranks above 3.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 55 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Fairie most popular?
The single biggest year for Fairie was 1925, when 10 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Fairie is about 82 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Fairie a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Fairie in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.