NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Sae

A feminine Japanese given name meaning "blessing" or "felicity".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2001. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Sae is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Sae popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2001 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3998, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 3 births.

This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 1997 to 2001. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Sae. 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 2002 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Sae ranked #3998 for girls in England and Wales in 2001, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1997, when 3 girls were registered as Sae.
  • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sae as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3998

2001

Births in 2001

3

Latest year

Peak year

1997

3 births

Estimated living

6

2026

Meaning

What does Sae mean?

The name Sae has its origins in the Korean language, where it is a diminutive form of the feminine name Saeun, which means "wide grace" or "expansive kindness." The name Sae can be traced back to the Goryeo dynasty of Korea, which ruled from 918 to 1392 AD. During this period, the name was often bestowed upon daughters born into noble families as a symbol of their grace and virtue.

Sae is also found in the ancient Korean text, the Samguk Yusa, a collection of legends and folktales from the Three Kingdoms period (57 BC–935 AD). In one of the stories, a young woman named Sae is celebrated for her unwavering devotion to her family and her commitment to upholding traditional values.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Sae was Sae Musang (1501–1572), a renowned Korean Buddhist monk and scholar who played a significant role in the development of the Seon (Zen) tradition in Korea. He was known for his profound teachings and his dedication to preserving the philosophical and spiritual heritage of his country.

In the realm of arts and culture, Sae Hanbok (1808–1882) was a celebrated Korean painter and calligrapher. She is renowned for her exquisite depictions of traditional Korean landscapes and her mastery of the delicate brushwork required for calligraphy. Her works are considered national treasures and are exhibited in prestigious museums across Korea.

Moving into the modern era, Sae Mulli (1925–2000) was a prominent South Korean writer and activist. She was widely recognized for her powerful prose that shed light on the struggles of women and the underprivileged in Korean society. Her works played a pivotal role in raising awareness about social injustice and advocating for gender equality.

Another notable figure is Sae Ra (born 1985), a South Korean singer and actress. She rose to fame as a member of the K-pop girl group Dream Catcher and has since established herself as a versatile performer, appearing in various television dramas and musicals.

Lastly, Sae Byeok (born 1994) is a professional Korean esports player and former member of the Overwatch League team, Seoul Dynasty. She gained international recognition for her exceptional skills and strategic gameplay, becoming a role model for aspiring female gamers worldwide.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Sae over time

The chart below shows babies named Sae registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2001. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Sae, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2001, compared with 3 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Sae
01223199719992001

Decades

Sae by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sae 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
2000s #3998 3 1
1990s #3824 3 1

Related

Names similar to Sae

FAQ

Sae: questions and answers

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

In 2001, Sae was ranked #3998 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Sae most popular?

The peak year on record was 1997, with 3 babies registered as Sae in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Sae?

A feminine Japanese given name meaning "blessing" or "felicity".

How many people are called Sae in the UK?

A total of 6 babies have been registered as Sae across the 2 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.