Rae
Rae is a girl's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Ewe or female sheep; also used as a short form of Rachel or Raymond.
Origin and history
Rae is a short form of Rachel, derived from a Hebrew word meaning 'ewe' or 'female sheep'. It has also been used historically as a short form for Raymond or as an independent unisex name. In the United States, it remains a recognizable, classic short name often used as a middle or first name.
Popularity in the United States
23,460 babies in the United States have been named Rae since 1880. It ranks #952 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1078.
States where it is most popular
- NY (14.7 %)
- CA (12.7 %)
- PA (9.2 %)
- OH (7.7 %)
- IL (7.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 262 |
| 1890-1900 | 673 |
| 1900-1910 | 699 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,738 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,873 |
| 1930-1940 | 2,096 |
| 1940-1950 | 2,660 |
| 1950-1960 | 3,456 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,895 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,848 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,250 |
| 1990-2000 | 921 |
| 2000-2010 | 626 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,228 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,235 |
Famous people named Rae
- Rae Dawn Chong: Actress
- Rae Allen: Actress, Singer
Fun facts
- Rae originated as a pet form of Rachel but gradually gained standing as an independent given name.
- Rae is frequently selected as a middle name due to its concise single-syllable structure.