Rae is a moderately popular girls' name in England & Wales, ranking #347 in 2024 with 126 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2021 with 168 births ranking #282. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 366.7%. In 2024, approximately 1 in every 2,048 girls born was named Rae. FALLING Recent data shows the name is currently falling.
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.