Rae is a distinctive girls' name in England & Wales, ranking #1083 in 2009 with 29 recorded births. This places Rae in the top 15% of ranked UK girls' names for the year. Its actual usage is classified as Rare. The name reached its all-time peak in 2021 with 168 births ranking #282. In 2009, approximately 1 in every 10,806 girls 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.