Names / Fay
Is Fay a first name or a last name?
Fay is both: a family name in some places and a given name in others. It is mostly a family name in Hungary and France; mostly a given name in Australia.
How to address someone called Fay
- United States. Fay is used both ways: about 14,849 people had it as a surname in the 2010 census, and 6,621 babies born between 1950 and 2017 were given it as a first name. Look at where it sits in the name and how the person signs.
- Hungary. Fay is a family name and is usually written first. Write Dear Mr. Fay or Dear Ms. Fay, or use the full name if you cannot tell which title fits.
- United Kingdom. Fay is used both ways: 33% of people from the United Kingdom with this name in our data carry it as a family name. Look at where it sits in the name and how the person signs.
- France. Fay is a family name, usually written last. Write Dear Mr. Fay or Dear Ms. Fay.
Not sure which part of a full name is which? Check the full name with the country where the person is based.
Fay by country
People recorded in Wikidata who carry Fay as a family name or as a given name, by country of citizenship (324 in total).
| Country | As family name | As given name | Family name share |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 69 | 78 | 47% |
| Hungary | 34 | 0 | 100% |
| United Kingdom | 10 | 20 | 33% |
| France | 27 | 0 | 100% |
| Australia | 2 | 15 | 12% |
| New Zealand | 4 | 10 | 29% |
| Canada | 3 | 5 | 38% |
| Ireland | 6 | 1 | 86% |
| Germany | 7 | 0 | 100% |
| Switzerland | 4 | 0 | 100% |
Wikidata covers notable people, so counts show how the name is used, not how many people carry it.
Fay in the United States
- As a surname: about 14,849 people in the 2010 census, rank 2,440 among US surnames.
- As a first name: 6,621 babies born between 1950 and 2017, 96% of them girls.
Fay as a given name: men or women?
About 83% of people with Fay as a given name in Wikidata are women, and 96% of US babies given the name. This describes the name, not any one person: it is not a safe basis for Mr. or Ms., and the full name without a title is always polite.
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