Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Rae
GirlEnglish, Hebrew· “ewe (short for Rachel)”
- Meaning
- ewe (short for Rachel)
- Origin
- English, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- RAY
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,306
- US babies 2025
- 171
- Best rank
- #313 (1892)
- Peak year
- 1956
Meaning and origin of Rae
Rae is an English and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “ewe (short for Rachel)”.
Short and simple, Rae began as a short form of Rachel, from the Hebrew for 'ewe', a symbol of gentleness in the pastoral world of the Bible. It can also be seen as a feminine form of Ray. Rae has been used on its own since the early twentieth century and is especially popular as a middle name. It is short, simple and easy to pair with longer names. Rae has a vintage, understated charm. Ray is an alternative spelling for boys.
Other spellings with the same sound: Ray, Rey, Raye, Rea, Wray.
Famous parents who chose Rae: Karlie Kloss and Joshua Kushner (2025). More celebrity baby names
Popularity over time
Rae has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 101 different years. Its best national rank was #313 in 1892, and the most babies received it in 1956, when 406 were named Rae. In 2025, 171 babies were named Rae, and it ranked #1,306 nationally. That is 78% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #490 in 1920, #456 in 1950, #1,001 in 1980, #2,169 in 2000, #3,003 in 2010, and #1,306 in 2025. Of the 23,460 US girls named Rae since records began, 15% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 2,895 babies. Since 2010, 2,463 more have been named Rae.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Melodie, Nita, Mari, Vickey, and Rosalyn.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Rae ranked highest in Utah, Oregon, and Arizona.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Utah | #475 | 9 |
| Oregon | #708 | 5 |
| Arizona | #800 | 8 |
| Colorado | #1019 | 5 |
| California | #1080 | 25 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 96% of US babies named Rae over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Rae is usually pronounced RAY, with one syllable. It has three letters, starts with R and ends in “-ae”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Ray, Rey, Raye, and Rea.
Middle names for Rae
A few middle names that flow with Rae: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Rae
Similar names
Janae Girl
juh-NAY
“God is gracious” · American (modern coinage)
#1,687
Ann Girl
AN
“grace, favor” · English
#1,076
Beth Girl
BEHTH
“short form of Elizabeth; Hebrew "house"” · Hebrew
#3,405
Jane Girl
JAYN
“God is gracious” · English
#221
Mae Girl
MAY
“form of May” · English
#501
Renae Girl
ruh-NAY
“variant of Renée, reborn” · French
#3,287
Dana Girl
DAY-nuh
“uncertain; several possible origins” · English
#1,027
Susan Girl
SOO-zuhn
“lily” · English
#1,091
Joyce Girl
JOYS
“lord; from the Breton name Judoc” · Breton
#1,074
Joan Unisex
JOHN
“God is gracious” · English
#987
Sally Girl
SA-lee
“princess” · English
#1,158
Betty Girl
BEH-tee
“short for Elizabeth; my God is an oath” · English
#1,113
Lists that include Rae
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Rae mean?
Rae is an English and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “ewe (short for Rachel)”.
What is the origin of the name Rae?
Rae has English and Hebrew roots. Short and simple, Rae began as a short form of Rachel, from the Hebrew for 'ewe', a symbol of gentleness in the pastoral world of the Bible.
Is Rae a popular name?
Not especially. Rae ranked #1,306 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Rae a boy or girl name?
Rae is mainly a girl's name. About 96% of US babies named Rae over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Rae?
Rae is usually pronounced RAY. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings