UK boy's name
Rael
A feminine name of Hebrew origin meaning "ewe" or "female sheep".
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.
Rael is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Rael popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2921, with 7 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 7 births.
This profile covers 34 England and Wales registrations across 7 recorded years from 1997 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.
Rael is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 34 living people in the UK are called Rael. 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
- • Rael ranked #2921 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 7 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2024, when 7 boys were registered as Rael.
- • About 34 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rael as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2921
2024
Births in 2024
7
Latest year
Peak year
2024
7 births
Estimated living
34
2026
Meaning
What does Rael mean?
The name Rael is believed to have its origins in the Hebrew language, deriving from the word "ra'el," which means "friend of God." This name is deeply rooted in the Judaic tradition and has been in use for centuries.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rael can be found in the Old Testament of the Bible, where it is mentioned as the name of a son of Esau, a significant figure in the book of Genesis. This biblical reference suggests that the name was already in use during ancient times, likely carrying spiritual or religious connotations.
Throughout history, the name Rael has been borne by various notable individuals. One such person is Rael Isacowitz (1950-), a South African-born Israeli educator and peace activist who founded the Middle East Children's Alliance, an organization dedicated to promoting non-violence and understanding among children in the region.
Another prominent figure with the name Rael is Rael Garduno (1988-), a Mexican actress and singer known for her roles in various telenovelas and her successful music career, particularly in the Latin pop genre.
In the realm of literature, Rael Dornfest (1974-) is an American author and technology entrepreneur who has written several books on web development and internet culture.
Rael Lamb (1975-) is a British artist known for her intricate and surreal sculptures, often exploring themes of nature, mythology, and human emotions.
Historically, the name Rael has also been associated with religious figures. Rael Monteiro (1859-1939) was a Brazilian Catholic priest and social reformer who advocated for the rights of indigenous communities and worked tirelessly to improve their living conditions.
It is worth noting that while the name Rael has its roots in Hebrew, it has been adopted and used across various cultures and regions throughout history, transcending its original linguistic and cultural boundaries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Rael over time
The chart below shows babies named Rael registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 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 Rael, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 7 births in 2024, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rael by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rael 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 | #3471 | 21 | 4 |
| 2010s | #3937 | 4 | 1 |
| 2000s | #2220 | 5 | 1 |
| 1990s | #2337 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Rael
- Ryan 68,692
- Riley 37,992
- Robert 27,462
- Reuben 25,122
- Rhys 24,418
- Reece 24,329
- Rory 21,870
- Roman 16,609
- Ronnie 16,445
- Reggie 14,684
- Rowan 14,371
- Ralph 8,892
FAQ
Rael: questions and answers
How popular is the name Rael in the UK right now?
In 2024, Rael was ranked #2921 for boys in England and Wales, with 7 births registered.
When was Rael most popular?
The peak year on record was 2024, with 7 babies registered as Rael in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Rael?
A feminine name of Hebrew origin meaning "ewe" or "female sheep".
How many people are called Rael in the UK?
A total of 34 babies have been registered as Rael across the 7 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.