NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Raei

A name of uncertain origin potentially meaning "wise" or "radiant".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Raei is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Raei popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3254, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2022, with 8 births.

This profile covers 26 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2020 to 2024. 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 26 living people in the UK are called Raei. 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 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Raei ranked #3254 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 6 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2022, when 8 boys were registered as Raei.
  • About 26 living people in the UK are estimated to have Raei as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 86.7% of Raei registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3254

2024

Births in 2024

6

Latest year

Peak year

2022

8 births

Estimated living

26

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Raei

In England and Wales birth records, Raei has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 86.7% of registrations are for boys and 13.3% 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.

87% boys
13% girls
Boys26 (86.7%)Girls4 (13.3%)

Raei registered for boys

  • Ranked #3,254 in 2024
  • 6 boys registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2022 (8 births)

Raei registered for girls

  • Ranked #4,843 in 2024
  • 4 girls registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2024 (4 births)

Meaning

What does Raei mean?

The name Raei is believed to have its origins in ancient Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilization located in modern-day Iraq. It is derived from the Akkadian language, one of the earliest recorded Semitic languages, which flourished around 2500 BCE. The name is thought to be a variation of the word "ra'u," meaning "shepherd" or "one who watches over."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Raei can be found in cuneiform inscriptions from the ancient city of Ur, dating back to the 3rd millennium BCE. These inscriptions suggest that the name was associated with individuals who held positions of authority or were responsible for overseeing certain tasks or groups of people.

In ancient Sumerian literature, there are references to a figure named Raei, who was revered as a wise and just ruler. This figure is believed to have lived around the 22nd century BCE and is mentioned in several clay tablet records as having implemented important agricultural reforms and promoting the advancement of knowledge and learning.

During the Neo-Babylonian period, around the 6th century BCE, a high-ranking official named Raei is mentioned in various administrative documents. This individual is thought to have held a prominent position within the court of King Nebuchadnezzar II, one of the most influential rulers of the Babylonian Empire.

In ancient Greek records, a philosopher named Raei is mentioned as having lived in the city of Miletus around the 5th century BCE. He is credited with contributing to the development of early scientific thought and is believed to have been a student of the renowned philosopher Thales.

Another notable figure with the name Raei was a Persian scholar and poet who lived during the 10th century CE. His works, which focused on ethics, philosophy, and mysticism, were highly influential in the Islamic world and were widely studied and referenced by subsequent scholars.

These are just a few examples of historical figures who bore the name Raei, highlighting its long and diverse heritage across various cultures and time periods.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Raei over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Raei in England and Wales, from 2020 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Raei, the clearest high point is 2022. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2024, compared with 8 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
035810202020222024

Decades

Raei by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Raei 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
2020s #3705 26 5

Related

Names similar to Raei

FAQ

Raei: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Raei was ranked #3254 for boys in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.

When was Raei most popular?

The peak year on record was 2022, with 8 babies registered as Raei in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Raei?

A name of uncertain origin potentially meaning "wise" or "radiant".

How many people are called Raei in the UK?

A total of 26 babies have been registered as Raei across the 5 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.