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Fabian m.

From the Latin family name Fabianus, possibly meaning ‘bean-grower’. There was a pope of this name and a St Fabian in the 3rd century, and there is a record of the name’s use by a 13th-century sub-prior of St Albans. There is little other evidence of it until the 16th century, but its use as a surname shows that it was known previously. The Roman general Fabius, known as the ‘delayer’ for his tactics of awaiting the right moment to achieve his ends, was the inspiration for the socialist Fabian Society, founded in 1884. A female form, Fabienne, comes from the French Fabien. Spanish forms are Fabio, and Fabiola for girls.

Fahimah f.

A Muslim name from the Arabic for ‘discerning’ or ‘intelligent’.

Faisal see Faysal

Faith f.

One of the Christian virtues used as names after the Reformation. It was formerly used for both sexes, but is now a girl’s name. FAY(E) or Fae is a short form.

Fallon f.

This is an English form of the Irish surname ‘O Fallamhain’, or ‘leader’. It was made known as a first name by a character in the TV series Dynasty and came into limited use in the USA and Britain as a result.

Fanny see Frances, Myfanwy

Farah f.

From the Arabic meaning ‘joy, cheerfulness’. Farrah is also found. American actress Farrah Fawcett claimed that her parents were unaware that Farah existed when they invented her first name. Farhanah is from the Arabic for ‘joyful’.

Farall, Farrell see Fergal

Fatima f.

This is an Arabic name which means either ‘chaste’ or ‘motherly’. It was the name of the Prophet Muhammad’s favourite daughter, the only one of his children to have children of her own. It has been popular in the USA with Black Muslims. It is also occasionally used in a Christian context in honour of Our Lady of Fatima.

Faustine f.

Fausta and Faustus were names given to his twin children by the ancient Roman dictator, Sulla. The names mean ‘fortunate’ and Sulla had always considered himself particularly blessed with good luck, taking the nickname FELIX. Faustine is the French form of the name. Although the two girls’ names are sometimes used, the legend of Dr Faustus, who sells his soul to the Devil, has made it difficult to use the boy’s name.

Fawn f.

The word for a young deer used as a first name.

Fay f.

A short form of both FAITH and EUPHEMIA, and also an old form of the word ‘faith’. In addition it is an old version of the French word for ‘fairy’ found in the name of the Arthurian enchantress Morgana le Fay. It was in use by 1872, at least in fiction. It is also spelt Faye.

Faysal m.

This Arabic name indicates one who decides between right and wrong, a decision-maker or a judge. This has been a royal name in modern times, borne by kings of Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The name is also found as Faisal and Feisal.

Feargus see Fergus

Fedelm, Feidhelm see Fidelma

Feisal see Faysal

Felice, Felicia see Felix

Felicity f.

From the Latin felicitas, meaning ‘happiness’. It was the name of two saints and was used by the Puritans in the 17th century.

Felix m., Felicia f.

From the Latin meaning ‘happy, lucky’. Felix was widely used in the Middle Ages and had a fairly strong hold in Ireland, where it was used to replace the Irish Phelim. It is currently enjoying a revival in popularity. The female form, Felicia, has a long history of use and was also very popular in the Middle Ages. Felice was a variant form.

Fenella f.

A Gaelic name meaning ‘white-shouldered’. The name became known in Britain in the 19th century as a result of Sir Walter Scott’s novel Peveril of the Peak. The Irish form of the name is Finola or Fionnuala (pronounced ‘Fin-noola’), which can be shortened to Nola or Nuala, a popular choice in Ireland.

Ferdinand m.

From the Old German for ‘brave journey’. Never a popular name in Germany, it was common in Spain, especially in the forms Fernando and Hernando. Short forms are Ferd, Ferdie and occasionally Nandy. At the moment the name is being used slightly more often than before.

Fergal m.

This is an Irish name meaning ‘valorous’. The surnames Farrell and Farall, which come from it, reflect the Irish pronunciation.

Fergus m.

Fergus or Feargus come from the Irish words for ‘man’ and ‘strength’. It is a fairly common first name in Scotland and Ireland and is also used in the North of England. Fergie is a short form.

Fern f.

The plant name used as a first name.

Ffion f.

Ffion is the Welsh word for the foxglove flower, and a word used in poetry to describe the cheek of a beautiful girl.

Fi see Fiona

Fidelma f.

The more usual form of the Irish name Fedelm or Feidhelm (in modern Irish, pronounced ‘fed-elm’). Its meaning is not clear, but several of the early women who bore the name were famous for their beauty.

Fifi see Josephine

Finbar, Finnbar, Fionnbharr see Barry

Finch see Raven

Fingal m.

This is the name given to the Scottish legendary hero (the equivalent of the Irish FINN), who figures in the 18th-century Ossianic poetry. He was a mighty warrior, a defender of the underdog and righter of wrongs. Fingal’s Cave is named after him. The name means ‘blond stranger’ and was a term used of the Vikings.

Finlay m.

This is a Scottish name meaning ‘fair hero’. It is also found as Finley and Findlay.

Finn m.

Finn, Fynn or Fionn is an Irish name meaning ‘white, fair’ or can also be used as a pet form of Finbar (see BARRY). Finn Mac Coul (Finn mac Cumaill) is a great hero of Irish mythology and folklore. He was chosen to lead the Fenians (an elite armed troop) because of his truthfulness, wisdom and generosity, but he was also of great physical strength. However, all these qualities were not enough to prevent Finn’s fiancée GRAINNE from running away with his companion, DERMOT. Finnian or Finian comes from the same root, and was the name of a 6th-century British saint; Fintan means either ‘white ancient one’ or ‘white fire’.

Finola see Fenella

Fintan see Finn

Fiona f.

From Gaelic, meaning ‘fair, white’. It was first used in the 19th century by William Sharp as a pen name (Fiona Macleod). He modelled it on the Irish man’s name Fionn or FINN. It was long thought of as a particularly Scottish name, but is now used throughout the English-speaking world. Fi is the short form.

Fionn see Finn

Fionnuala see Fenella

Flann m.

This is an Irish name meaning ‘red’ that would have started life as a nickname. Flannan started as a pet form of this.

Flavia f.

A Roman family name, which probably meant something like ‘golden or tawny-haired’. Fulvia has much the same meaning.

Fleur f.

The French word for ‘flower’. It was first used as a name in the 20th century, in John Galsworthy’s series of novels, The Forsyte Saga. The English equivalents Flower and Blossom are also found. (See also FLORA).

Flip see Philip

Flo, Floy see Florence

Flora f.

From the Latin meaning ‘flower’. Flora was the Roman goddess of flowers and the spring. The male equivalent names Florent and Florian are now little used in Britain but are found on the Continent.

Florence f.

From the Latin name Florentius, derived from the word meaning ‘blooming’. In the Middle Ages, Florence was used as often for men as for women. Florence Nightingale was named after the town in Italy where she was born, and her fame popularised the name in the 19th century. Abbreviated forms are Florrie, Flossie, Floy and Flo.

Florent, Florian see Flora

Flower see Fleur

Floyd see Lloyd

Forbes m.

Forbes is a Scottish surname now used as a first name. It comes from a place near Aberdeen, meaning ‘field, district’.

Forrest m.

This is the word ‘forest’ in its surname form. It was originally used as a first name in the southern US in the late 19th century, when it was fashionable to name boys after Confederate generals – in this case, General Nathan Bedford Forrest. The name continues to be used sporadically in Britain as well as the USA. It is sometimes found as Forest.

Frances f.

This name derives from Francesca, the feminine form of the Italian Francesco (see FRANCIS). It was first used in Italy in the 13th century, about the same time as the French form Françoise began to appear. Francine is another French form. Frances was not used in Britain until the 15th century, and it became popular with the English aristocracy at the time of the Tudors. The short forms are Fanny, Fran, Francie and Frankie.

Francis m.

From the Latin meaning ‘little Frenchman’. The name became popular in Europe in the 13th century because of St Francis of Assisi. The Italian word Francesco was the saint’s nickname, his Christian name being Giovanni, the Italian form of JOHN. It was given to him in his worldly youth because of his love of fashionable French things. It was first used in Britain in the 15th century. Fran is a short form along with Frank and Frankie. Frank can be used as an independent name.

Françoise see Frances

Frank, Frankie see Frances, Francis

Franklin m.

From a medieval English word meaning ‘free’. A franklin was a man who owned land in his own right, but was not a noble. The name came into use in America in honour of Benjamin Franklin (1706–90), statesman, writer and inventor. A famous holder of the name was Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945), 32nd US President.

Fraser, Frazer m.

A Scottish surname of unknown meaning, used as a first name. Frasier is another form of the name.

Frea see Freya

Fred, Freddie, Freddy see Alfred, Frederick

Freda see Frederick, Winifred

Frederick m., Frederica f.

From the Old German, meaning ‘peaceful ruler’. It is also found with such spellings as Frederic and Frederik. Common abbreviations are Fred, Freddie and Freddy, also used as independent names. The female form is Frederica, the origin of the names Freda, Frida or Frieda (the last two influenced by the German form, Friede).

Freya f.

The name of the ancient Norse goddess of beauty, love and fertility. It can also be found as Frea or spelt the Swedish way Freja. The name became better known through the indomitable travel writer Freya Stark (1893–1993).

Frida, Frieda see Frederick

Fulvia see Flavia