MallowbyNames

Marae

muh-RAY · Of uncertain origin; possibly a modern invention or a variant of Mara or Mae.

Peak popularity
2005
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Declining since 2004

Declining since 2004.

Popularity of Marae since 1970

Babies named Marae per year in U.S. Social Security records.

5914198020002020Most births 2005Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1970s16
1980s13
1990s50
2000s88
2010s59
2020s11

Meaning & origin

Marae is a rare, modern name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1970. It reached its peak usage in 2005, though it has never cracked the Top 1000 and has been declining in popularity since 2004. With no clear historical or linguistic roots, Marae likely represents a contemporary invented name, perhaps inspired by the similar-sounding Mara or the popular suffix 'ae'. Its rarity means it has never been concentrated in any particular state, making it a truly unique choice. The name's trajectory shows a slow but steady decline over the past two decades, reflecting a brief moment of modest use in the 2000s.

Marae first appeared in U.S. records around 1970, with a peak in 2005, suggesting a modern coinage rather than a traditional name. It may be a spelling variation of Mara (a name of Hebrew or Irish origin) or a blend of Mary and Rae. No established meaning is recorded, and it remains rare.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Mara, Rae

Sibling names for Marae

Names that share Marae's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Maya, Nora, Leah, Sara, Aria, Lanae, Larae, Sarae

Brothers: Micah, Noah, Liam, Elijah, Caleb

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

M is for Marae, our favorite little girl.

M is for Marae…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Marae's letter becomes Marae's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Marae's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Marae mean?
The meaning of Marae is uncertain. It may be a modern creative spelling of Mara or a compound of Mary and Rae.
How popular is the name Marae?
Marae has never ranked in the U.S. Top 1000. It was first recorded in 1970 and peaked in 2005, but remains extremely rare.
Is Marae a boy or girl name?
Marae is almost exclusively used for girls.