Meaning, origin, history
Faith is a female given name of English origin, derived from the Old English word 'fæð', which means 'faith'. The name has been in use since the Middle Ages and was popular among the Puritans during the 17th century. Faith is often associated with religious themes due to its meaning, but it can also be used as a secular name.
The name Faith became particularly popular in the United States during the mid-20th century. It was consistently ranked among the top 500 names for girls between the years of 1936 and 1986. Despite its religious connotations, the name has been embraced by people of various faiths and backgrounds as a symbol of trust, belief, and confidence.
Some notable individuals with the name Faith include Faith Evans, an American singer-songwriter known for her collaborations with Notorious B.I.G., and Faith Ford, an American actress best known for her role in the sitcom "Murphy Brown". The name has also been used in literature and popular culture, such as in the novel "Faith" by Zusak, which tells the story of a young girl named Faith living during World War II.
In summary, Faith is a female given name of English origin that means 'faith'. While it has religious connotations, it has also been embraced as a secular name. The name has been popular in the United States since the mid-20th century and has been carried by notable individuals throughout history.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Faith since 1880
Total births
145,256
Total since 1880
Peak year
2003
5,596 births
in 2023
1,256
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
-30%
↘
vs previous 5 years