Holding steady.
Popularity of Chae since 1970
Babies named Chae per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 10 | 35 |
| 1980s | 62 | 39 |
| 1990s | 77 | 56 |
| 2000s | 26 | 18 |
| 2010s | 0 | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Chae is a rare unisex name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1970. Its peak year was 1988, but it has never cracked the top 1000, remaining a distinctive choice. The name's origin is uncertain: it may be a modern respelling of Chase, which derives from an Old French word for 'hunt', or it could be a simplified spelling of the Korean surname '채' (Chae). Since the 1970s, Chae has seen sporadic use, with no clear upward or downward trajectory. It has not been concentrated in any particular state, reflecting its overall rarity. Parents drawn to short, modern-sounding names might consider Chae as an alternative to more common names like Kai or Jace.
Chae likely emerged as a modern spelling variant of Chase, an English surname derived from the Old French 'chace' meaning 'hunt'. Alternatively, it may be a respelling of the Korean '채' (Chae), a common surname, or a phonetic variant of Che or Chay, but no single origin is firmly attested. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1970.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Chae
Names that share Chae's style, for a brother or sister.
