Rei

What does Rei mean?

Rei is a concise Japanese given name whose meaning depends on the kanji chosen to write it. Possible characters include 玲, associated with the clear sound of jade or a bell, 礼, meaning courtesy or gratitude, and 怜, linked with wisdom and compassion. Other kanji can give Rei further shades of meaning, so there is no single translation for every bearer of the name.

With its bright, single-syllable sound, Rei feels modern, calm and quietly distinctive. It is used for all genders in Japan, and its simple Roman spelling travels particularly easily in an international setting.

Historical Context

Rei is a Japanese name read from several different kanji, rather than a single name with one fixed root. The reading rei has long been available for characters such as 玲, 礼, 怜 and 零, each carrying its own meaning and associations. Japanese names are often chosen through the combination of sound and written character, so the intended meaning of Rei is defined by the particular kanji used by the family. In Roman letters, Rei represents that shared Japanese pronunciation.