Ray
Ray: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ɹeɪ/
Meaning and origin of Ray
Root meaning: “king”
- A diminutive of the male given names Raymond, Rayane, and Rayan, also used as a formal given name.
- A diminutive of the female given name Rachel, more often spelled Rae.
Etymology
As an English surname, from pet forms derived from the root of Raymond. * Also as an English surname, from Old French rei (“king”). Compare Roy, King. * Also as an English surname, from Old English rā (“roe deer”). Compare Roe. * Also as an English surname, variant of Wray and Rye. * As a Scottish Gaelic surname, shortened from McRae. * As a French surname, from the verb raier (“to gush out, flow, radiate”). Compare Leray. * As a Polish and Slovene surname, Americanized from Raj, from raj (“paradise”). * As an Indian surname, variant of Rai.
How popular is Ray?
Since 1880, 5,606 girls and 204,701 boys in the U.S. have been named Ray (3% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #381 in 1890. Its highest rank for boys was #49 in 1891. In 2025 it ranked #792 for boys, with 338 babies given the name.
Names similar to Ray
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
Sibling name ideas for Ray
Names that peaked around the same time as Ray and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Ray FAQ
What does the name Ray mean?
Ray traces back to a root meaning "king". A diminutive of the male given names Raymond, Rayane, and Rayan, also used as a formal given name. A diminutive of the female given name Rachel, more often spelled Rae. As an English surname, from pet forms derived from the root of Raymond. * Also as an English surname, from Old French rei (“king”). Compare Roy, King. * Also as an English surname, from Old English rā (“roe deer”). Compare Roe. * Also as an English surname, variant of Wray and Rye. * As a Scottish Gaelic surname, shortened from McRae. * As a French surname, from the verb raier (“to gush out, flow, radiate”). Compare Leray. * As a Polish and Slovene surname, Americanized from Raj, from raj (“paradise”). * As an Indian surname, variant of Rai.
How popular is the name Ray?
Since 1880, 5,606 girls and 204,701 boys in the U.S. have been named Ray (3% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #381 in 1890. Its highest rank for boys was #49 in 1891. In 2025 it ranked #792 for boys, with 338 babies given the name.
Is Ray a boy or girl name?
Ray is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 5,606 girls and 204,701 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.