Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Rene
BoyFrench, Latin· “reborn”
- Meaning
- reborn
- Origin
- French, Latin
- Pronunciation
- ruh-NAY
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,092
- US babies 2025
- 197
- Best rank
- #256 (1969)
- Peak year
- 1970
Meaning and origin of Rene
Rene is a French and Latin name that means “reborn”.
René is a French name from the Latin Renatus, meaning "reborn," a name used by early Christians in reference to spiritual rebirth through baptism. The philosopher René Descartes, famous for the phrase "I think, therefore I am," is its best-known bearer, and the painter René Magritte is another. René has long been used for boys in France and Spanish-speaking countries, while the feminine Renée is its counterpart. In English-speaking countries it has a stylish, cultured feel. The accent is often dropped in English, but the pronunciation stays the same.
Other spellings with the same sound: Renee.
Popularity over time
Rene 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 135 different years, starting in 1881. Its best national rank was #256 in 1969, and the most babies received it in 1970, when 869 were named Rene. In 2025, 197 babies were named Rene, and it ranked #1,092 nationally. That is 29% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #515 in 1920, #342 in 1950, #300 in 1980, #386 in 2000, #627 in 2010, and #1,092 in 2025. Of the 50,940 US boys named Rene since records began, 14% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 7,266 babies. Since 2010, 4,191 more have been named Rene.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Roderick, Scot, Scotty, Vance, and Dion.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Rene ranked highest in Texas, California, and Arizona.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | #554 | 58 |
| California | #606 | 49 |
| Arizona | #618 | 11 |
| Florida | #876 | 17 |
| Illinois | #995 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 94% of US babies named Rene over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Rene is usually pronounced ruh-NAY, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with R and ends in “-ne”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Renee.
Middle names for Rene
A few middle names that flow with Rene: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Rene
Similar names
Divine Unisex
dih-VYN
“godly, heavenly” · English
#1,888
Quincy Unisex
KWIHN-see
“estate of Quintus, 'fifth'” · French
#654
Maurice Boy
maw-REES
“Moorish, dark-skinned” · Latin
#1,020
Eugene Boy
yoo-JEEN
“well born” · Greek
#943
Tyrone Boy
ty-ROHN
“land of Eoghan” · Irish
#1,392
Leone Unisex
lee-OHN
“lion” · Italian
#4,204
Emile Boy
ay-MEEL
“French form of Aemilius, possibly rival” · French
#2,098
Amour Unisex
ah-MOOR
“love” · French
#2,780
Devine Unisex
duh-VYN
“surname meaning divine” · French
#7,219
Pascal Boy
pas-KAL
“of Easter” · French
#3,636
Calvin Boy
KAL-vihn
“bald” · French
#132
Justice Unisex
JUHS-tihs
“justice, fairness” · English
#1,363
Lists that include Rene
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Rene mean?
Rene is a French and Latin name that means “reborn”.
What is the origin of the name Rene?
Rene has French and Latin roots. René is a French name from the Latin Renatus, meaning "reborn," a name used by early Christians in reference to spiritual rebirth through baptism.
Is Rene a popular name?
Not especially. Rene ranked #1,092 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Rene a boy or girl name?
Rene is mainly a boy's name. About 94% of US babies named Rene over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Rene?
Rene is usually pronounced ruh-NAY. 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