Find out how popular the first name Rei has been for the last 38 years (from 1987 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Rei by gender

Based on the last 38 years of data, Rei is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 54% of people named Rei being female.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 29 male babies and 27 female babies born with the name Rei.

It's also interesting to see that despite Rei being historically a mostly female name, the most recent data from 2024 shows a shift in the trend, with more male babies being named Rei.

The history of the first name Rei

The name Rei has its origins in Japanese culture, where it is a unisex name with various meanings and interpretations. It is often written using the kanji characters 零, meaning "zero" or "null," or 玲, meaning "tinkling of jade jewels."

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Rei dates back to the 8th century, appearing in the ancient Japanese literary work "The Tale of Genji" by Murasaki Shikibu. In this classic novel, Rei was the name of a female character, a lady-in-waiting to one of the main protagonists.

In Japanese Buddhism, the name Rei is associated with the concept of "zero" or "nothingness," symbolizing the emptiness and impermanence of all things. This philosophical interpretation has led some to view the name as representing humility, purity, and detachment from material possessions.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Rei. One of the most famous was Rei Kawakubo, the renowned Japanese fashion designer and founder of the avant-garde label Comme des Garçons. Born in 1942, Kawakubo revolutionized fashion with her unconventional and deconstructed designs, challenging traditional notions of beauty and aesthetics.

Another prominent individual with the name Rei was Rei Hino, a fictional character from the popular Japanese manga and anime series "Sailor Moon." As Sailor Mars, Rei Hino was a powerful warrior with psychic abilities and a strong sense of justice, inspiring many fans around the world.

In the realm of Japanese literature, Rei Nakazawa was a celebrated author and poet who lived from 1945 to 2011. His works explored themes of war, peace, and the human condition, often drawing from his experiences as a survivor of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

Rei Kawakubo, the pioneering fashion designer, revolutionized the industry with her avant-garde and deconstructed designs, challenging traditional notions of beauty and aesthetics.

Rei Hino, the fictional character from the popular "Sailor Moon" series, was a powerful warrior with psychic abilities and a strong sense of justice, inspiring many fans worldwide.

Rei Nakazawa, the Japanese author and poet, explored themes of war, peace, and the human condition through his works, drawing from his experiences as a survivor of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Rei was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Rei, please contact us.

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