NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Bae

A modern Korean name meaning admired sweetheart or significant other.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2014. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 3 girls.

Bae is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Bae popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2014 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4632, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2014, with 3 births.

This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2014 to 2014. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

Bae is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Bae. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2015 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Bae ranked #4632 for boys in England and Wales in 2014, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2014, when 3 boys were registered as Bae.
  • Bae is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
  • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Bae as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 50.0% of Bae registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4632

2014

Births in 2014

3

Latest year

Peak year

2014

3 births

Estimated living

3

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Bae

In England and Wales birth records, Bae has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 50.0% of registrations are for boys and 50.0% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

50% boys
50% girls
Boys3 (50.0%)Girls3 (50.0%)

Bae registered for boys

  • Ranked #4,632 in 2014
  • 3 boys registered in 2014
  • Peak: 2014 (3 births)

Bae registered for girls

  • Ranked #5,691 in 2014
  • 3 girls registered in 2014
  • Peak: 2014 (3 births)

Meaning

What does Bae mean?

The name Bae is believed to have originated from Old English and Old Norse languages, dating back to around the 5th to 11th centuries. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "bæg" or the Old Norse word "bagi," both of which mean "battle" or "strife."

In ancient Germanic cultures, names often reflected desired traits or aspirations for a child, and the name Bae may have been given to symbolize strength, courage, or a warrior-like spirit. The name's connection to battle and strife suggests it may have been commonly used among warriors or those involved in conflicts during that time period.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Bae can be found in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a collection of annals that documented events in Anglo-Saxon England from the 9th to 12th centuries. The chronicle mentions a figure named Bae, though details about this individual are scarce.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Bae. One example is Bae Gyu-yeol (1543-1612), a Korean scholar and writer during the Joseon Dynasty. He is known for his contributions to Korean literature and his works on Confucian philosophy.

Another historical figure with the name Bae is Bae Jeong-hwa (1737-1805), a Korean painter and calligrapher from the late Joseon Dynasty. He was renowned for his landscape paintings and his mastery of calligraphic styles.

In the realm of sports, Bae Sang-moon (born 1986) is a professional golfer from South Korea who has won several tournaments on the PGA Tour and European Tour.

Moving to the literary world, Bae Suah (born 1965) is a contemporary South Korean novelist and short story writer known for her unique narrative styles and exploration of human emotions.

Finally, Bae Yong-joon (born 1972) is a South Korean actor and singer who achieved widespread popularity in Asia through his roles in television dramas and films, earning him the nickname "Yon-sama" among fans.

While the name Bae may have originated from words associated with battle and strife, its use throughout history has transcended various fields, including academia, arts, sports, and entertainment, reflecting the diverse paths taken by individuals who share this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Decades

Bae by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Bae was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2010s #4632 3 1

Related

Names similar to Bae

FAQ

Bae: questions and answers

How popular is the name Bae in the UK right now?

In 2014, Bae was ranked #4632 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Bae most popular?

The peak year on record was 2014, with 3 babies registered as Bae in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Bae?

A modern Korean name meaning admired sweetheart or significant other.

How many people are called Bae in the UK?

A total of 3 babies have been registered as Bae across the 1 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.