[brobinson]

It has a ton of meanings in Japanese and Hebrew, too: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rei

[ZenoArrow]

Does anyone know which of the Japanese characters is commonly used for the character Rei Ayanami? I know anime names tend to be chosen to convey extra meanings, would be interested to know what GAINAX/Anno intended.

[photosinensis]

波, which is "wave".

[ZenoArrow]

Thank you.

[huac]

Well, none of those meanings are particularly bad - 'king,' 'exquisite, clever, sound of jewels,' 'friend' even sound pretty good