Rae
Rae is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Ewe, roe deer, or wise protector.
Origin and history
Rae originated as a short form of names like Rachel or Raymond, as well as an independent medieval surname derived from the Old English word for a roe deer. While far more common as a feminine name in the U.S., it has a long history of minor usage as a masculine given name. In contemporary usage, it remains a rare, unisex single-syllable choice.
Popularity in the United States
960 babies in the United States have been named Rae since 1880. It ranks #3720 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1883.
States where it is most popular
- MI (100 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 25 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 114 |
| 1920-1930 | 195 |
| 1930-1940 | 128 |
| 1940-1950 | 117 |
| 1950-1960 | 106 |
| 1960-1970 | 64 |
| 1970-1980 | 26 |
| 1980-1990 | 24 |
| 1990-2000 | 45 |
| 2000-2010 | 22 |
| 2010-2019 | 50 |
| 2020-2029 | 44 |
Famous people named Rae
- Rae Carruth: Football player
Fun facts
- Rae functions both as a diminutival variant of Hebrew Rachel (meaning ewe) and Germanic Raymond (meaning wise protector), as well as an Old English word for a deer.
- Although more commonly registered for female infants, U.S. Social Security records have recorded male usage of Rae continuously since the 19th century.