Rae is a unique and distinctive given name of uncertain origin and meaning. While it does not appear to have a clear etymology from any one language or culture, Rae has been used as a given name for both boys and girls in recent years.
One theory suggests that Rae may be a shortened form of the Irish surname "Raes" or "Rea," which is believed to have originated from the Irish Gaelic word "réidh," meaning "easy." However, this connection is not widely accepted, and there is no definitive evidence to support it.
Another theory proposes that Rae could be a variant spelling of the name "Ray," which is derived from the Old German word "rad" meaning "advice" or "shield." This theory is also uncertain, as there is no clear connection between Rae and Ray.
Despite its unclear origin, Rae has been used as a given name in various cultures throughout history. In some cases, Rae may have been used as a unisex name, while in others it may have been more commonly associated with one gender or the other.
One notable figure bearing the name Rae is American singer-songwriter Rae Sremmurd (born Aaquil Ibram "Aqiyl" Brown), who gained fame in the early 2010s for his work as a part of the hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd alongside his brother Slim Jxmmi. However, it is unclear whether this name was passed down through generations or chosen specifically for its uniqueness.
In conclusion, while the origin and meaning of the name Rae remain uncertain, it has been used as a given name throughout history and continues to be used today. Its unique sound and spelling make it a distinctive choice for parents looking for something different for their child's name.
Based on the provided statistics, we can observe the trend of the number of births with the name Rae in the United States from 1880 to 2023.
From 1880 to around 1950, the number of babies named Rae varied widely, ranging from a low of 7 births in 1881 to a high of 406 births in 1956. During this period, there were several peaks and troughs, with the highest point occurring in 1956.
After 1956, the number of babies named Rae began to decrease steadily. Between 1957 and 2002, the average number of births per year was around 60-70, with a few exceptions where the count went below 50 or above 80.
From 2003 onwards, there has been a significant decline in the popularity of the name Rae. The number of births per year has consistently been below 100, and since 2016, it has stayed mostly between 190 to 240 births per year. In 2022, there were 207 births with the name Rae, and in 2023, up until now, there have been 197 births.
In conclusion, while Rae was once a popular name in the United States, especially during the mid-20th century, its popularity has declined significantly in recent years. Despite this decline, Rae remains a used name, with a steady but low number of births each year.