Rein

♀ Girl

Pronounced RAYN /ˈreɪn/High

Meaning: Rein reads two ways. As an English word it is the strap of a bridle — a control word, homophone of Reign and Rain. Separately it is an established Dutch, German and Frisian boys' name from the Germanic element ragin, 'counsel, advice'. It is used here for a girl, but it reads as a boy's name or a word, and we say so plainly.Low

In 30 seconds: A one-beat word-name: Rein is the strap of a bridle, and a Dutch and German boys' name from ragin, 'counsel' (said 'RAYN'). It reads male — we note the lean.

💕 Browse more names

Origin LowEnglish, Germanic

MeaningRein reads two ways. As an English word it is the strap of a bridle — a control word, homophone of Reign and Rain. Separately it is an established Dutch, German and Frisian boys' name from the Germanic element ragin, 'counsel, advice'. It is used here for a girl, but it reads as a boy's name or a word, and we say so plainly.

U.S. rank (2023)#7560 ↗ Rising

2023 U.S. births15 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 109

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Rein is both an English word — the strap that guides a horse — and an established Germanic, Dutch and Frisian boys' name from the element ragin, 'counsel, advice'. In the U.S. it also picks up the Reign/Rain wave. Listed here for a girl, it nonetheless reads as a boy's name or as a plain word, and we state that plainly rather than treat it as settled unisex.

For girls it is newly emerging and very rare in the U.S., against established boys' use abroad. Rare, sharp, and word-like.

Did you know? Rein carries three sounds at once — rein, reign and rain are homophones. It is also a long-established Dutch and Frisian boys' name from the Germanic ragin, 'counsel'. Its use here for a girl runs against that lean, which we flag (said 'RAYN').

Overall data confidence 30%

References — Rein — English word 'rein'; Germanic/Dutch boys' name from ragin, 'counsel'

Variations

ReignRainReine

Nicknames

ReiReinyRen

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Rein…

Reign— the homophone word-name

Raine— a like one-beat rain name

Wren— a like short nature word-name

Reina— the feminine Spanish 'queen' in the same sound

Explore names like Rein

By themeword-name short cross-sex boy-leaning

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Rein mean?

Rein is the English word for a bridle strap, and separately a Dutch and German boys' name from the Germanic ragin, 'counsel, advice'.

How do you pronounce Rein?

It's said RAYN /ˈreɪn/ — one syllable; it sounds identical to rain and reign.

Is Rein a boy or girl name?

Rein is listed here for a girl, but it reads as a boy's name — it is well established for boys in Dutch, German and Frisian use. We flag that lean plainly.

How popular is Rein?

For girls, Rein is very rare and newly emerging in the U.S.