"gratitude, courtesy, bow"
Origin: Japanese (礼)
Language: Japanese
Rei
Does Rei flow with your last name?
One syllable, infinite meanings across cultures
Japanese
Hawaiian
Portuguese
Spanish
Minimalist
Modern
Elegant
Gentle
Unique
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Rei
Same sound, same style — different options
Meaning & Origin
"lovely, beautiful"
Origin: Japanese (麗)
Language: Japanese
"zero, nothing"
Origin: Japanese (零)
Language: Japanese
"king"
Origin: Portuguese/Spanish
Language: Portuguese
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Rei
See all →What the Rei report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Rei the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Rei
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Rei head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Rei
Rei is a Japanese name rich with possible meanings depending on the kanji used. Rei written as 零 means zero or nought; as 礼 means gratitude, courtesy, or bow; as 麗 means lovely or beautiful; and as 玲 means the sound of jewels. The same phoneme carries completely different meanings depending on the written character — parents choose kanji reflecting their hopes for their child. In Portugal and Brazil, Rei simply means king.
Rei gained significant international recognition through the character Rei Ayanami in the groundbreaking anime Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995), one of the most analyzed animated characters in history. The REI outdoor retail brand in the US has also kept the sound familiar to Western ears.
In Japanese culture, the courtesy bow (rei) is a fundamental social act expressing respect. A girl named with the kanji for rei (courtesy) carries an aspiration of graceful social harmony. The character Rei Ayanami became an archetype in Japanese popular culture, influencing countless subsequent characters.
Historical Record
Rei first appeared in US Social Security records in 1974.
Over 526 babies have been named Rei in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Rei is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #4,892 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Rei Ayanami from Neon Genesis Evangelion is consistently ranked among the most iconic anime characters
- REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.) is the largest consumer cooperative in the United States
- In Japanese, the same sound rei can have over 10 different meanings depending on the kanji written
Rei in Other Languages
Korean
레이
Chinese
蕾 (flower bud)
Spanish
Rey (king)
Japanese
レイ
Portuguese
Rei (king)
Popularity Over Time
#4,892
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Rei
R
Rei Hiroe
Artist
1972
Japanese manga artist known for creating Black Lagoon
R
Rei Kawakubo
Artist
1942
Japanese fashion designer and founder of Comme des Garcons, one of the most influential designers in fashion history
R
Rei Ayanami Fictional
Other
Iconic character from the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion, one of the most analyzed characters in animation history
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Yamiles
Girl
"elegant, lovely"
#4,754
Rosina
Girl
"little rose"
#5,016
Laena
Girl
"warm cloak (Roman garment)"
#5,067
Riana
Girl
"great queen, divine queen"
#5,063
Lalani
Girl
"heavenly flower"
#4,712
Compare Rei with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #4,892
- Total SSA Count
- 27
- Cultural Origins
- Japanese Hawaiian Portuguese Spanish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-3 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, minimalist style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-3 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, minimalist style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Rei
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Rei fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Rei is also used as a boy name, ranked #3800.
View Rei as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Rei →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Rei with...
Same Origin Names (Japanese)
See all Japanese names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Rei
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Rei and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Rei sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Yamiles
Girl
Arabic origin
"elegant, lovely"
#4,754 in US
Rosina
Girl
Latin/Italian origin
"little rose"
#5,016 in US
Laena
Girl
Latin origin
"warm cloak (Roman garment)"
#5,067 in US
Riana
Girl
Celtic/Welsh origin
"great queen, divine queen"
#5,063 in US
Lalani
Girl
Polynesian origin
"heavenly flower"
#4,712 in US
Carmyn
Girl
Latin origin
"song, poem"
#4,963 in US
Nabi
Girl
Arabic 'nabi' — unrelated etymology origin
"prophet (different word)"
#4,920 in US
Caylani
Girl
Hawaiian origin
"heavenly sea, royal ocean"
#4,699 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Rei's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rei
What does the name Rei mean?
"gratitude, courtesy, bow" (from Japanese (礼)). "lovely, beautiful" (from Japanese (麗)). "zero, nothing" (from Japanese (零)). "king" (from Portuguese/Spanish). Rei is a Japanese name rich with possible meanings depending on the kanji used. Rei written as 零 means zero or nought; as 礼 means gratitude, courtesy, or bow; as 麗 means lovely or beautiful; and as 玲 means the sound of jewels. The same phoneme carries completely different meanings depending on the written character — parents choose kanji reflecting their hopes for their child. In Portugal and Brazil, Rei simply means king.
What is the origin of the name Rei?
Rei has Japanese (礼), Japanese (麗), Japanese (零), Portuguese/Spanish, Japanese, Hawaiian, Portuguese, and Spanish origins. In Japanese (礼), it means "gratitude, courtesy, bow". In Japanese (麗), it means "lovely, beautiful". In Japanese (零), it means "zero, nothing". In Portuguese/Spanish, it means "king".
Is Rei a boy or girl name?
Rei is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #4892. As a boy name, it is ranked #3800. Rei is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Rei?
Rei is currently ranked #4892 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Rei?
Popular middle name pairings include Rei Yuki, Rei Hana, Rei Sakura, Rei Nori, Rei Aiko, and Rei Sora.
What are good sibling names for Rei?
Names that pair well with Rei as siblings include Hana, Sora, Niko, Kai, Mako, and Yuki.
How many syllables does Rei have?
Rei has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Rei a common or rare name?
Rei is an uncommon name, ranked #4892 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Rei?
About the Name Rei
Rei is a girl name with Japanese, Hawaiian, Portuguese, and Spanish origins . The name means "gratitude, courtesy, bow" in Japanese (礼) .
Is Rei a boy or girl name? Rei is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #4,892 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #3,800. Rei is more commonly used as a boy name.
Rei is currently ranked #4,892 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Rei has 1 syllable, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Rei include Reign, Reina, Reilly, Reid . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Japanese (礼) Names
Browse all names with this origin
R
Names Starting with R
More girl names like Rei
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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