Fun Facts About the Name Raeah
- 59 babies named Raeah: U.S. records list 59 babies given the name Raeah from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Raeah Mean?
Raeah is a feminine name usually treated as an English variant of Raya. In the Hebrew tradition, Raya derives from the word רֵעָה (re'ah), meaning "female friend," "companion," or "neighbor." It is the feminine counterpart of רֵעַ (rea'), a male friend or neighbor, and both words share a Hebrew root connected with companionship. The meaning is literal, not a later symbolic interpretation. The spelling Raeah uses ae for the long "a" sound and final -h to reflect the Hebrew feminine ending -ָה. The similar-looking Greek name Rhea is unrelated; its etymology is disputed and does not explain Raeah.
Raeah Name History & Origins
The Hebrew word רֵעָה belongs to ordinary biblical vocabulary. It appears in passages about a woman's female companion or neighbor, and its plural רֵעוֹת (re'ot) is used for women companions. In those texts it is a common noun, not a personal name, and English Bible translations usually render it with words such as "neighbor," "companion," or "friend." The personal name Raeah therefore depends on the later use of the Hebrew word as a name, not on a biblical figure called Raeah.
As an English given name, Raeah is a respelling of Raya rather than an inherited traditional form. The pronunciation RAY-uh follows the Ashkenazi Hebrew reading of the word's first vowel, while Israeli Hebrew reads it closer to reh-AH. Raeah is not the transliteration used in scholarly or Bible-translation practice, where the Hebrew word is usually written re'ah or translated. Because the given name is sparsely documented, its history is mainly the history of the Hebrew noun and of English spelling practice, not a long sequence of recorded bearers.
How Popular is the Name Raeah?
Raeah has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2023. Its best rank was #11,949 in 2023.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | #11,949 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2021 | #17,101 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2020 | #14,714 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2019 | #13,473 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2017 | #15,498 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2014 | #16,089 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2013 | #14,270 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2012 | #13,172 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2011 | #16,316 | 6 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Raeah Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are a law unto itself. Your tendency is to finish whatever you start. You are tolerant and like to help humanity. You are very active. You are generally warmhearted and gives freely of your time, energy, and sympathetic understanding. You have tolerance and acceptance of the frailties of others. Universal and humanitarian in outlook. This is very compassionate name. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
You find the best contentment in life when you own your own home and provide well for your family and loved ones. You have a great sense of responsibility and duty. You are comforting, appreciative and affectionate. Your obligation in life is to hold justice and truth, and if you follow the Law, you can find the great happiness and satisfaction.
✦ Raeah's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Raeah's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.