UK girl's name
Reah
An Old Hebrew feminine name meaning "companion" or "friend".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2017. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Reah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Reah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2017 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5765, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 9 births.
This profile covers 101 England and Wales registrations across 17 recorded years from 1996 to 2017. 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 33% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 100 living people in the UK are called Reah. 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 2018 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Reah ranked #5765 for girls in England and Wales in 2017, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 9 girls were registered as Reah.
- • About 100 living people in the UK are estimated to have Reah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5765
2017
Births in 2017
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
9 births
Estimated living
100
2026
Meaning
What does Reah mean?
The name Reah is believed to have its origins in the Hebrew language, with roots dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Hebrew word "re'ah," which means "friend" or "companion." The name carries a connotation of friendship, loyalty, and support.
In the Biblical context, the name Reah appears as a variant spelling of Reaiah, which was the name of one of the Israelite leaders who returned from the Babylonian exile, as mentioned in the Book of Ezra (Ezra 2:47). This reference suggests that the name was in use among the ancient Israelites during the post-exilic period, around the 5th century BCE.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Reah was Reah Moor, an English Puritan minister who lived in the 17th century (1608-1676). He served as a Presbyterian minister and was known for his religious writings and sermons.
In the 18th century, Reah Fenton (1719-1794) was a notable English writer and poet. She is remembered for her contribution to literature, particularly her poems and translations of classical works.
Moving to the 19th century, Reah Whitehead (1829-1911) was a British artist and painter. She gained recognition for her landscape paintings and her works are part of several notable art collections.
In the 20th century, Reah Binor (1915-1995) was an Israeli actress and theater director. She played a significant role in the development of Israeli theater and was a prominent figure in the country's cultural scene.
Another notable figure with the name Reah was Reah Sadowsky (1927-2018), an American artist and sculptor. Her works were exhibited in various galleries and museums, and she was known for her innovative use of materials and techniques.
While the name Reah has its roots in ancient Hebrew, it has been adopted and used across different cultures and time periods. Its meaning and symbolism have resonated with individuals throughout history, making it a unique and meaningful name with a rich heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Reah over time
The chart below shows babies named Reah registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2017. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Reah, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2017, compared with 9 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Reah by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Reah 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 | #4577 | 23 | 5 |
| 2000s | #2892 | 56 | 9 |
| 1990s | #2118 | 22 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Reah
- Ruby 60,551
- Rebecca 45,764
- Rosie 35,558
- Rachel 19,034
- Rose 18,043
- Robyn 14,556
- Rosa 6,236
- Rhiannon 6,180
- Rachael 4,702
- Rebekah 4,395
- Rhianna 4,177
- Ruth 4,118
FAQ
Reah: questions and answers
How popular is the name Reah in the UK right now?
In 2017, Reah was ranked #5765 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Reah most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 9 babies registered as Reah in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Reah?
An Old Hebrew feminine name meaning "companion" or "friend".
How many people are called Reah in the UK?
A total of 101 babies have been registered as Reah 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.