The Fe rune ᚠ represents the f-sound. It is the first letter of the Futhark alphabet. Its name means "(mobile) wealth", cognate to English fee with an original meaning "sheep" or "cattle" (German Vieh, Sanskrit pashu). The reconstructed Proto-Germanic name is fehu. The name is recorded in all three rune poems:
- ᚠ Fé vældr frænda róge;
- føðesk ulfr í skóge.
- Wealth is a source of discord among kinsmen;
- the wolf lives in the forest.
- ᚠ Fé er frænda róg
- ok flæðar viti
- ok grafseiðs gata
- aurum fylkir.
- Wealth is a source of discord among kinsmen
- and fire of the sea
- and path of the serpent.
- ᚠ Feoh byþ frofur fira gehwylcum;
- sceal ðeah manna gehwylc miclun hyt dælan
- gif he wile for drihtne domes hleotan.
- Wealth is a comfort to all men;
- yet must every man bestow it freely,
- if he wish to gain honour in the sight of the Lord.
The corresponding letter of the Gothic alphabet is 𐍆 f, called faihu. Such correspondence between all rune poems and the Gothic letter name, as well, is uncommon, and gives the reconstructed name of the Old Futhark a high degree of certainty.
