Rae is a distinctive boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #3256 in 2025 with 6 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2021 with 7 births ranking #2730. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 100.0%. In 2025, approximately 1 in every 45,323 boys born was named Rae. STABLE Recent data shows the name is currently stable.
Rae is a compact, stylish short name whose meaning depends on which longer name family sits behind it. It is often linked to Rachel, but it also appears independently in modern use.
The name has long been popular as a middle name and has increasingly been used on its own because it feels simple and polished. Its flexibility is part of its appeal.