Fei comes from multiple Chinese characters. The character 菲 (fēi) means fragrant grass, lush vegetation, or rich/abundant — appearing in compounds like 菲菲 (fēifēi, lush/fragrant) and 芳菲 (fāngfēi, fragrant flowers and grasses, often referring to spring beauty). The character carries beautiful classical Chinese poetic imagery of fragrant spring meadows and lush growth. The character 飞 (fēi) means to fly or to soar, evoking freedom and elevated spirit. The pinyin Fei spelling represents the standard modern Mandarin romanization. The name has been used in Chinese feminine naming for centuries with profound aesthetic heritage. The 菲 character appears in the famous classical Chinese poetic phrase 芳菲世界 (fāngfēi shìjiè, world of fragrant flowers) describing springtime beauty. The name carries supreme modern cultural significance through Faye Wong (王菲 Wáng Fēi, born 1969), the most celebrated Chinese female pop singer of the 1990s-2000s whose albums sold tens of millions and whose distinctive voice and style made her one of the most influential Chinese music artists of the era — Faye Wong appeared in Wong Kar-wais film Chungking Express (1994) and her career spans Hong Kong, Mandarin, and Cantonese pop. Through her global fame, Fei became one of the most internationally recognized Chinese feminine name elements of the late twentieth century. Chinese parents who choose Fei are drawn to its profound classical Chinese floral fragrance heritage.

The root form of Fei is Fei (菲 / 飞) — meaning Fragrant grass, to fly.

Fei remains a beloved choice. Timeless appeal across cultures and generations.