Rae

Meaning of Rae

Rae, pronounced just like a sunbeam of “ray,” began as a homespun pet form of the biblical Rachel (“ewe”) and, in some Scottish families, as a trim version of “Grace,” yet over the years she has stepped out from the shadow of longer names and learned to shine on her own. With a meaning that hints at both gentle pastoral calm and bright light, Rae feels equal parts soft sweater and streak of sunrise—no wonder American parents have kept her quietly but steadily on the charts since the 1880s, peaking in early-20th-century gumption and enjoying a modern mini-revival. Pop culture lends extra sparkle: think blues legend Rae Gordon, actress Rae Dawn Chong, or Star Wars’ Rey—different spelling, same gleam. Short, sweet, and impossible to misspell, Rae is the rare one-syllable name that still manages to sound friendly, upbeat, and a little bit daring, like a wink in name form.

Pronunciation

English

• Pronunced as ray (/reɪ/)

• Raina
• Rayna
• Mae
• Raya
• Raelyn
• Raeann