UK girl's name
Febe
A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "radiant" or "shining".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Febe is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Febe popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4634, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2004, with 4 births.
This profile covers 23 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 2002 to 2021. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 23 living people in the UK are called Febe. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2022 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Febe ranked #4634 for girls in England and Wales in 2021, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2004, when 4 girls were registered as Febe.
- • About 23 living people in the UK are estimated to have Febe as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4634
2021
Births in 2021
4
Latest year
Peak year
2004
4 births
Estimated living
23
2026
Meaning
What does Febe mean?
The name Febe originates from the ancient Greek language and culture, dating back to the 1st century AD. It is derived from the Greek word "Phoibe," which means "brilliant" or "radiant." This name was particularly popular in the early Christian era and has been associated with various historical figures and religious contexts.
In the New Testament, the name Febe is mentioned in the book of Romans, chapter 16, verse 1. The apostle Paul refers to a woman named Febe, whom he describes as a "servant" or "deaconess" of the church in Cenchreae. This reference suggests that Febe was an influential figure in the early Christian community, and her name held significance within the religious context.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Febe can be found in the writings of the ancient Greek historian, Plutarch. He mentions a woman named Febe who lived in the 1st century AD and was known for her wisdom and virtue.
Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Febe:
1. Febe Arteaga Quintero (1925-2019), a Mexican artist and activist known for her contributions to the feminist movement in Mexico.
2. Febe Velasquez (1800s), a Puerto Rican revolutionary who fought against Spanish colonial rule in the 19th century.
3. Febe Kemeny (1913-1993), a Hungarian-American mathematician and computer scientist who made significant contributions to the field of numerical analysis.
4. Febe Calderón (1977-), a Spanish actress and television presenter known for her work in various Spanish-language productions.
5. Febe Armanios (1976-), an American academic and author who specializes in the study of Coptic Christianity and gender studies.
While the name Febe has its roots in Greek antiquity, it has been embraced and adapted by various cultures and communities throughout history. Its meaning, "brilliant" or "radiant," has likely contributed to its enduring appeal and use across different eras and regions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Febe over time
The chart below shows babies named Febe registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2002 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Febe, the clearest high point is 2004. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2021, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Febe by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Febe was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #4634 | 4 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4764 | 4 | 1 |
| 2000s | #4238 | 15 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Febe
- Freya 50,564
- Florence 32,908
- Francesca 18,752
- Faith 14,325
- Fatima 11,112
- Faye 8,999
- Felicity 8,554
- Frankie 6,977
- Ffion 6,115
- Flora 3,499
- Frances 3,417
- Fatimah 3,065
FAQ
Febe: questions and answers
How popular is the name Febe in the UK right now?
In 2021, Febe was ranked #4634 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Febe most popular?
The peak year on record was 2004, with 4 babies registered as Febe in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Febe?
A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "radiant" or "shining".
How many people are called Febe in the UK?
A total of 23 babies have been registered as Febe across the 6 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.