Faye

Derived from Middle English faie, meaning fairy, by way of Old French. It settled into American birth registries in the late nineteenth century as a self-contained one-syllable entry, requiring no formal anchor like Faith or Frances.

A single syllable with an unexpected amount of spine. The name brings to mind mid-century cinema credits, practical cardigans, and handwritten recipe cards clipped to an index box. Today it belongs either to a grandmother who remembers rationing or a toddler whose parents own a record player. It does not waste letters.