"thunder and lightning"
Origin: Japanese
Language: English
Raeden
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Named for the ancient Japanese god of thunder
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Japanese
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with Raiden, the thunder god character from Mortal Kombat (1992-present)
The Story of Raeden
Raeden is a modern American phonetic spelling of Raiden (雷電), the Japanese word and deity name meaning "thunder and lightning." In Japanese mythology, Raijin (also known as Raiden) is the ancient Shinto god of thunder, depicted with drums that create the rumbling of storms. Statues of Raijin guard temple gates across Japan, making this one of the most culturally rich names in the thunder-god tradition.
The name gained widespread Western recognition through the Mortal Kombat video game franchise (1992), where Raiden is a powerful thunder god protagonist. Anime culture and Japanese mythology enthusiasts further popularized the name across the English-speaking world in the 2000s-2010s.
In Japanese Shinto tradition, Raijin/Raiden is revered as a powerful protector deity. Thunder was believed to bring fertilizing rains, making Raiden a god associated with both power and life-giving forces.
Historical Record
Raeden first appeared in US Social Security records in 2004.
Over 264 babies have been named Raeden in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Raeden is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #4,525 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Raijin (Raiden) has been worshipped in Japan for over 1,000 years
- The Mortal Kombat character Raiden has appeared in every mainline game in the franchise since 1992
Raeden in Other Languages
Korean
라이덴
Chinese
雷电
English
Raiden
Japanese
雷電
Popularity Over Time
#4,525
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Raeden
R
Raiden Fictional
Other
Iconic thunder god character and protector of Earthrealm in the Mortal Kombat video game series since 1992
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Compare Raeden with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #4,525
- Total SSA Count
- 23
- Cultural Origins
- American Japanese
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Ray
Rae
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Raeden
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Raeden is also used as a girl name, ranked #50462.
View Raeden as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Raeden
What does the name Raeden mean?
"thunder and lightning" (from Japanese). Raeden is a modern American phonetic spelling of Raiden (雷電), the Japanese word and deity name meaning "thunder and lightning." In Japanese mythology, Raijin (also known as Raiden) is the ancient Shinto god of thunder, depicted with drums that create the rumbling of storms. Statues of Raijin guard temple gates across Japan, making this one of the most culturally rich names in the thunder-god tradition.
What is the origin of the name Raeden?
Raeden has Japanese and American origins. In Japanese, it means "thunder and lightning".
Is Raeden a boy or girl name?
Raeden is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #4525. As a girl name, it is ranked #50462. Raeden is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Raeden?
Raeden is currently ranked #4525 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Raeden?
Common nicknames for Raeden include Ray and Rae.
What are good middle names for Raeden?
Popular middle name pairings include Raeden James, Raeden Cole, Raeden Storm, Raeden Hunter, and Raeden Kai.
What are good sibling names for Raeden?
Names that pair well with Raeden as siblings include Zephyr, Draven, Kyler, Jaxon, Raven, and Ryker.
How many syllables does Raeden have?
Raeden has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Raeden a common or rare name?
Raeden is an uncommon name, ranked #4525 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Raeden
Raeden is a boy name with American and Japanese origins . The name means "thunder and lightning" in Japanese .
Is Raeden a boy or girl name? Raeden is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #4,525 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #50,462. Raeden is more commonly used as a boy name.
Raeden is currently ranked #4,525 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Raeden has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Raeden include Ray and Rae. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis