Rae is a distinctive boys' name in United States, ranking #13680 in 2023 with 5 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2020 with 11 births ranking #7382. Since 1996, the popularity has decreased by 28.6%. In 2023, approximately 1 in every 341,710 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.