UK name, mostly boys
Chae
A unisex Korean name meaning "renew" or "grace.".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2019. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Chae is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Chae popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2019 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4702, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2004, with 8 births.
This profile covers 82 England and Wales registrations across 17 recorded years from 1996 to 2019. 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.
The latest count is about 38% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 81 living people in the UK are called Chae. 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 2020 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Chae ranked #4702 for boys in England and Wales in 2019, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2004, when 8 boys were registered as Chae.
- • About 81 living people in the UK are estimated to have Chae as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 91.1% of Chae registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4702
2019
Births in 2019
3
Latest year
Peak year
2004
8 births
Estimated living
81
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Chae
In England and Wales birth records, Chae has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 91.1% of registrations are for boys and 8.9% 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.
Chae registered for boys
- Ranked #4,702 in 2019
- 3 boys registered in 2019
- Peak: 2004 (8 births)
Chae registered for girls
- Ranked #3,725 in 2004
- 4 girls registered in 2004
- Peak: 2000 (4 births)
Meaning
What does Chae mean?
The name Chae is believed to have its origins in Korean culture, dating back several centuries. It is derived from the Korean word "chae," which means "wisdom" or "intelligence." This name has been used in Korea for generations, often given to children with the hope that they would grow up to be wise and knowledgeable individuals.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Chae can be found in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, a historical record that spans several centuries of Korean history. In this text, there are mentions of individuals with the name Chae, indicating its prevalence during that time period.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Chae. One such individual was Chae Yeong-sin (1316-1388), a renowned Korean scholar and philosopher during the Goryeo Dynasty. He was known for his contributions to Confucian thought and his influential writings on ethics and morality.
Another prominent figure with the name Chae was Chae Jegong (1624-1651), a Korean scholar and mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of mathematics during the Joseon Dynasty. His work on the theory of equations and algebraic equations was highly acclaimed and influential in his time.
In the realm of literature, Chae Mansik (1902-1950) was a famous Korean novelist and playwright. He is renowned for his work in depicting the struggles and social issues faced by the Korean people during the Japanese colonial period. His novels, such as "Chuksuryu" and "Sangryunjon," are considered classics in Korean literature.
Chae Byung-ok (1912-1998) was a prominent Korean politician and diplomat who played a crucial role in the formation of the Republic of Korea. He served as the first Prime Minister of South Korea from 1948 to 1950 and later held various diplomatic positions, including serving as the Ambassador to the United States.
In the field of sports, Chae Yun-seong (born 1987) is a notable figure. He is a South Korean professional baseball player who has played for various teams in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) league. Chae is known for his exceptional pitching skills and has been a valuable asset to his teams throughout his career.
These are just a few examples of the many individuals who have borne the name Chae throughout history, showcasing its enduring presence and significance in Korean culture and society.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Chae over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Chae in England and Wales, from 1996 to 2019. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Chae, the clearest high point is 2004. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2019, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Chae by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Chae 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 | #4024 | 24 | 6 |
| 2000s | #2615 | 37 | 7 |
| 1990s | #2011 | 21 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Chae
- Charlie 104,761
- Callum 65,796
- Connor 53,072
- Cameron 40,394
- Charles 33,091
- Christopher 26,849
- Caleb 15,553
- Corey 12,622
- Carter 11,505
- Cody 11,075
- Conor 10,298
- Christian 9,695
FAQ
Chae: questions and answers
How popular is the name Chae in the UK right now?
In 2019, Chae was ranked #4702 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Chae most popular?
The peak year on record was 2004, with 8 babies registered as Chae in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Chae?
A unisex Korean name meaning "renew" or "grace.".
How many people are called Chae in the UK?
A total of 82 babies have been registered as Chae across the 17 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.