How Many People Are Named Rae?

Complete statistics for the name Rae: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.

Rae
Rare
Old English

Rae is an uncommon yet charming name with roots in Old English, making it a very rare choice today. Only 1 in 22,411 Americans carry this name, with around 14,725 people living in the US who go by Rae. Interestingly, the name saw its peak popularity way back in 1956.

~5,142
Living in US
1 in 64,459
Americans
1956
Peak Year

📖 Meaning & Origin

💬
Meaning
Clear stream
🌐
Origin
Old English
🔢
Numerology
Life Path 6
Personality Traits
Gentle Caring Compassionate
6
Life Path Number

Traditionally, the life-path number 6 represents harmony, balance, and nurturing.

🌍 Worldwide Usage

14,725
Worldwide Bearers
#17,403
Global Rank
🇵🇰 Pakistan
199
🇨🇳 China
188
🇹🇭 Thailand
163
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Wales
140
🇯🇲 Jamaica
128
🇮🇪 Ireland
97
🇸🇬 Singapore
55
🇰🇷 South Korea
49
🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea
37
🇩🇪 Germany
35

⚥ Gender Distribution

♂ Male
400 (3%)
♀ Female
14,325 (97%)

📊 Births by Age Group

Avg Cohort Age: 70
3,257
Would be under 30 (13%)
5,013
Would be 30–60 (21%)
15,962
Would be over 60 (66%)

All 24,232 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).

📈 Popularity Over Time

Peak: 1956

Annual US births from SSA records  ·  Trend: Rising

🏆 Name Scorecard

Popularity
98
Classic Feel
76
Modern Appeal
34
International
5

Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency

📜 Rae Through the Generations

Rae has been a name that's seen its ups and downs through the decades. Born in the mid-20th century, it reached its highest point in 1956 when 412 babies were given this moniker. Over time, the name's usage declined but has recently shown signs of revival, becoming a classic favorite once again. Today, most people named Rae are over 60, with 66% falling into this age bracket, indicating a strong connection to older generations. The current age distribution shows 3,257 under-30s, 5,013 aged between 30 and 60, and 15,962 over 60, painting a picture of a name that's deeply rooted in tradition yet still finding new fans among younger parents.

📍 State Distribution (Top 10)

New York 2,269
California 1,933
Pennsylvania 1,407
Ohio 1,195
Illinois 1,123
Texas 1,037
Michigan 683
New Jersey 578
Wisconsin 478
Indiana 412

⭐ Famous People Named Rae

Rae is a unisex given name. The Scottish name Rae is often associated with the Gaelic term "rath" which means "fortress." Rae is also the female variant of the Old High German Ray from regin meaning "counsel".…

Full list on Wikipedia →

🌿 Related Names by Origin

Other names sharing Rae's Old English roots

📄 About the Name Rae

How Many People Have the Name Rae?

Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 5,142 people in the United States currently share the name Rae. That works out to roughly 1 in every 64,459 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.

Is Rae a Common or Rare Name?

Rae is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.

What Does the Name Rae Mean?

Rae means "clear stream" and comes from Old English origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 6.

Gender Breakdown

Of all recorded bearers of Rae in SSA data, approximately 3% are male and 97% are female.

When Was Rae Most Popular?

The name Rae reached peak popularity in 1956, with 412 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.

How Is This Data Calculated?

All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are named Rae?

Approximately 5,142 people named Rae live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 5,142. That works out to roughly 1 in 64,459 Americans.

Is Rae a rare name?

Rae is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 64,459 Americans has this name.

What does the name Rae mean?

Rae means "clear stream" and comes from Old English origins.

Is Rae more male or female?

Based on SSA records, 3% of people named Rae are male and 97% are female.

When was Rae most popular?

Rae peaked in 1956 with 412 births that year. Current trend: Rising.

How accurate are these statistics?

All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.

Disclaimer: All results are statistical estimates based on aggregated SSA birth records and modeling. Not exact counts of individuals. Data source: SSA National Baby Names dataset.
Quick Stats
Living in US5,142
All-Time Births5,142
1 in X1 in 64,459
RarityRare
GenderFemale
Avg Age70
Peak Year1956
World Rank#17,403
Male %3%
Female %97%

Check the statistics for any first or last name

Search Names
Data Source

Powered by the SSA National Baby Names dataset, birth registrations from 1880 to present.

All counts are statistical estimates. See the methodology page.