UK girl's name
Fifi
A diminutive French pet form of the given name Josephine.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Fifi is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Fifi popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5669, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2017, with 12 births.
This profile covers 115 England and Wales registrations across 20 recorded years from 1996 to 2022. 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 25% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 114 living people in the UK are called Fifi. 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 2023 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Fifi ranked #5669 for girls in England and Wales in 2022, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2017, when 12 girls were registered as Fifi.
- • About 114 living people in the UK are estimated to have Fifi as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5669
2022
Births in 2022
3
Latest year
Peak year
2017
12 births
Estimated living
114
2026
Meaning
What does Fifi mean?
The name Fifi is believed to have originated from the French language, derived from the diminutive form of the name Josephine. It first appeared in the late 18th century during the reign of the French monarchy.
The earliest recorded use of the name Fifi can be traced back to the aristocratic circles of France, where it was often used as a pet name or nickname for girls named Josephine. This was particularly popular among the upper classes, who often adopted French names and customs.
One of the earliest known historical references to the name Fifi is found in the writings of French author and playwright Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, who lived from 1732 to 1799. In his famous play "The Marriage of Figaro," one of the characters is named Fifi.
Throughout the 19th century, the name Fifi gained popularity in France and other parts of Europe, particularly among the upper classes and nobility. It was often associated with a sense of playfulness, charm, and sophistication.
One of the most notable historical figures with the name Fifi was Fifi d'Orsay (1904-1983), a French-American singer, actress, and vedette who was a popular entertainer during the mid-20th century. She was known for her glamorous lifestyle and high-profile relationships.
Another famous Fifi was Fifi Geldof (1933-2017), an American socialite and author who was a prominent figure in New York City's social scene during the 1960s and 1970s. She was known for her wit, charm, and unconventional lifestyle.
In the world of literature, the name Fifi was immortalized by French author Colette, who featured a character named Fifi in her 1920 novel "Cheri." The character embodied the carefree and sensual spirit often associated with the name.
Moving into the mid-20th century, Fifi Abdou (1953-present) is an Egyptian actress and singer who has appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout her career. She is considered one of the most famous and influential actresses in the Arab world.
Lastly, Fifi Geldof (1983-2014) was a British journalist, television presenter, and model who gained fame in the early 2000s. Tragically, she passed away at a young age, but her vibrant personality and sense of style left a lasting impression on the fashion and media industries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Fifi over time
The chart below shows babies named Fifi registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2022. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Fifi, the clearest high point is 2017. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2022, compared with 12 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Fifi by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Fifi 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 | #5581 | 9 | 3 |
| 2010s | #3606 | 53 | 8 |
| 2000s | #3091 | 50 | 8 |
| 1990s | #3795 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Fifi
- 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
Fifi: questions and answers
How popular is the name Fifi in the UK right now?
In 2022, Fifi was ranked #5669 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Fifi most popular?
The peak year on record was 2017, with 12 babies registered as Fifi in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Fifi?
A diminutive French pet form of the given name Josephine.
How many people are called Fifi in the UK?
A total of 115 babies have been registered as Fifi across the 20 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.