Raleigh
Raleigh: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɹɑːliː/ · /ˈɹæliː/
Meaning and origin of Raleigh
Root meaning: “roe deer”
- A male given name, transferred from the surname.
Etymology
From Old English rā, rāha (“roe deer”) + lēah (“woodland, clearing”). Equivalent to roe + -ley (“lea”).
How popular is Raleigh?
Since 1880, 3,057 girls and 9,279 boys in the U.S. have been named Raleigh (25% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1382 in 2016. Its highest rank for boys was #357 in 1891. In 2025, 168 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Raleigh
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More English unisex names
Sibling name ideas for Raleigh
Sister and brother names that share Raleigh's English roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Raleigh FAQ
What does the name Raleigh mean?
Raleigh traces back to a root meaning "roe deer". A male given name, transferred from the surname. From Old English rā, rāha (“roe deer”) + lēah (“woodland, clearing”). Equivalent to roe + -ley (“lea”).
What is the origin of the name Raleigh?
Raleigh is listed as a name of English origin.
How popular is the name Raleigh?
Since 1880, 3,057 girls and 9,279 boys in the U.S. have been named Raleigh (25% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1382 in 2016. Its highest rank for boys was #357 in 1891. In 2025, 168 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Raleigh a boy or girl name?
Raleigh is used for both boys and girls in the U.S. (3,057 girls and 9,279 boys since 1880).
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.