Ray: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, and More

Fact: The ray of sunlight or a ray of hope adds a positive connotation to the name.

Ray Overview

Meaning

Advice, king, wise protector

Gender

Boy

Origin

English, German

Etymology

Derived from the Old French name “Rei” meaning “king,” and also associated with the English word “ray,” meaning “beam of light.”

Pronunciation

/reɪ/

Popularity

Ray is a widely recognized name globally, though its popularity has varied. Recently, Ray has seen a decline in the USA, currently ranking outside the top 500 names.

Syllable

1 syllable

Length

3 letters

Numerology

8 (Practical, Ambitious, Materialistic)

Name Styles

Classic, Short, Cool

Associated Traits

Warm, charismatic, strong, dependable

Name Day

October 17th

Ray Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Ray, Raymond, Ramon, Raimond, Rei, Reymond

Common Nicknames

Ray, Raye, Rey, Rei

Diminutives

Rai, Raye, Rayo

Famous People

Ray Charles
(American Musician)
Ray Bradbury
(American Author)
Ray Romano
(American Comedian)
Ray Liotta
(American Actor)
Ray J
(American Singer)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

Ray Stantz
("Ghostbusters," Film Series)
Ray Donovan
("Ray Donovan," TV Series)
Raymond Holt
("Brooklyn Nine-Nine," TV Series)
Ray Charles
("Ray," Film)
Ray Ferrier
("War of the Worlds," Film)
Ray Barone
("Everybody Loves Raymond," TV Series)

Places

Ray City
(North Dakota, USA)
Ray Township
(Michigan, USA)
Ray
(Iran)
Ray City
(Georgia, USA)
Raymore
(Missouri, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Ray?

Ray means “wise protector” or “beam of light.” Additionally, Ray can come from the Germanic name element “ragin,” meaning “counsel” or “advice.” People with this name are often seen as bright and supportive, bringing positivity and guidance to those around them.

What Is the Origin of The Name Ray?

Ray has English and German origins. It can be a short form of the English name Raymond, meaning “wise protector,” or it can refer to a beam of light, highlighting its positive and radiant connotations.

Ray Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Ray in the U.S. over the Years

United States	#8392021	#7592022	#7692023
Top 3 Rankings	#491891	#501896	#511897

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Ray

Year	Name Ranking	Number of Births	Birth Rate (%)
2023	769 (-10 from 2022)	333 (+1 from 2022)	0.01819
2022	759 (+80 from 2021)	332 (+50 from 2021)	0.01773
2021	839 (-117 from 2020)	282 (-61 from 2020)	0.01505
2020	722 (+11 from 2019)	343 (+15 from 2019)	0.01854
2019	733 (-7 from 2018)	328 (-2 from 2018)	0.01707
2018	726 (+41 from 2017)	330 (+24 from 2017)	0.01698
2017	767 (-18 from 2016)	306 (-18 from 2016)	0.01546
2016	749 (-36 from 2015)	324 (-24 from 2015)	0.01600
2015	713 (+15 from 2014)	348 (+19 from 2014)	0.01702
2014	728 (-64 from 2013)	329 (-34 from 2013)	0.01605
2013	664 (+55 from 2012)	363 (+36 from 2012)	0.01796
2012	719 (-38 from 2011)	327 (-19 from 2011)	0.01611
2011	681 (-22 from 2010)	346 (-18 from 2010)	0.01703
2010	659 (+9 from 2009)	364 (-2 from 2009)	0.01772
2009	668 (-17 from 2008)	366 (-8 from 2008)	0.01726
2008	651 (-18 from 2007)	374 (-10 from 2007)	0.01715
2007	633 (-77 from 2006)	384 (-67 from 2006)	0.01734
2006	556 (+7 from 2005)	451 (+31 from 2005)	0.02057
2005	563 (+14 from 2004)	420 (+29 from 2004)	0.01974
2004	577 (+40 from 2003)	391 (+55 from 2003)	0.01850
2003	617 (-39 from 2002)	336 (-41 from 2002)	0.01599
2002	578 (-5 from 2001)	377 (+17 from 2001)	0.01824
2001	573 (-57 from 2000)	360 (-75 from 2000)	0.01740
2000	516 (-3 from 1999)	435 (+21 from 1999)	0.02083
1999	513 (-24 from 1998)	414 (-32 from 1998)	0.02030
1998	489 (-6 from 1997)	446 (+3 from 1997)	0.02200
1997	483 No change from 1996	443 (-2 from 1996)	0.02217
1996	483 (-29 from 1995)	445 (-50 from 1995)	0.02221
1995	454 (-49 from 1994)	495 (-69 from 1994)	0.02461
1994	405 (+7 from 1993)	564 (+2 from 1993)	0.02767
1993	412 (-18 from 1992)	562 (-20 from 1992)	0.02721
1992	394 (-45 from 1991)	582 (-113 from 1991)	0.02773
1991	349 (-21 from 1990)	695 (-60 from 1990)	0.03279
1990	328 (-2 from 1989)	755 (+33 from 1989)	0.03508
1989	326 (-21 from 1988)	722 (-22 from 1988)	0.03445
1988	305 (-23 from 1987)	744 (-26 from 1987)	0.03716
1987	282 (+2 from 1986)	770 (+32 from 1986)	0.03948
1986	284 (-13 from 1985)	738 (-30 from 1985)	0.03840
1985	271 (+1 from 1984)	768 (+2 from 1984)	0.03991
1984	272 No change from 1983	766 (+2 from 1983)	0.04082
1983	272 (-18 from 1982)	764 (-103 from 1982)	0.04100
1982	254 (+1 from 1981)	867 (+12 from 1981)	0.04594
1981	255 (+6 from 1980)	855 (+12 from 1980)	0.04591
1980	261 (-3 from 1979)	843 (+19 from 1979)	0.04545
1979	258 (-2 from 1978)	824 (+31 from 1978)	0.04600
1978	256 (-5 from 1977)	793 (-14 from 1977)	0.04641
1977	251 (-13 from 1976)	807 (-43 from 1976)	0.04721
1976	238 (-10 from 1975)	850 (-47 from 1975)	0.05206
1975	228 (-8 from 1974)	897 (-58 from 1974)	0.05529
1974	220 (-13 from 1973)	955 (-91 from 1973)	0.05858
1973	207 (-10 from 1972)	1046 (-132 from 1972)	0.06482
1972	197 (-1 from 1971)	1178 (-89 from 1971)	0.07037
1971	196 (-10 from 1970)	1267 (-195 from 1970)	0.06970
1970	186 (-4 from 1969)	1462 (-60 from 1969)	0.07675
1969	182 (-12 from 1968)	1522 (-71 from 1968)	0.08321
1968	170 (-5 from 1967)	1593 (-24 from 1967)	0.08972
1967	165 (-10 from 1966)	1617 (-209 from 1966)	0.09087
1966	155 (-8 from 1965)	1826 (-266 from 1965)	0.10046
1965	147 (-4 from 1964)	2092 (-185 from 1964)	0.11042
1964	143 (-12 from 1963)	2277 (-305 from 1963)	0.11233
1963	131 (+1 from 1962)	2582 (-97 from 1962)	0.12506
1962	132 (-6 from 1961)	2679 (-239 from 1961)	0.12747
1961	126 (-5 from 1960)	2918 (-163 from 1960)	0.13528
1960	121 No change from 1959	3081 (-138 from 1959)	0.14229
1959	121 No change from 1958	3219 (+28 from 1958)	0.14858
1958	121 (-10 from 1957)	3191 (-218 from 1957)	0.14808
1957	111 (+2 from 1956)	3409 (+179 from 1956)	0.15574
1956	113 No change from 1955	3230 (+160 from 1955)	0.15050
1955	113 (+5 from 1954)	3070 (+93 from 1954)	0.14687
1954	118 (-3 from 1953)	2977 (+162 from 1953)	0.14388
1953	115 (-2 from 1952)	2815 (+125 from 1952)	0.14059
1952	113 (+1 from 1951)	2690 (+12 from 1951)	0.13632
1951	114 (-3 from 1950)	2678 (+43 from 1950)	0.14009
1950	111 (-2 from 1949)	2635 (-74 from 1949)	0.14488
1949	109 (-9 from 1948)	2709 (-424 from 1948)	0.15033
1948	100 (-3 from 1947)	3133 (-246 from 1947)	0.17574
1947	97 (-2 from 1946)	3379 (+209 from 1946)	0.18190
1946	95 (-3 from 1945)	3170 (+430 from 1945)	0.19208
1945	92 (-6 from 1944)	2740 (-164 from 1944)	0.19979
1944	86 (-2 from 1943)	2904 (-160 from 1943)	0.20905
1943	84 No change from 1942	3064 (-1 from 1942)	0.21064
1942	84 (-1 from 1941)	3065 (+370 from 1941)	0.21764
1941	83 (-6 from 1940)	2695 (-100 from 1940)	0.21477
1940	77 (-3 from 1939)	2795 (+86 from 1939)	0.23563
1939	74 (-2 from 1938)	2709 (-172 from 1938)	0.23904
1938	72 (-1 from 1937)	2881 (+156 from 1937)	0.25350
1937	71 (-7 from 1936)	2725 (-214 from 1936)	0.24917
1936	64 No change from 1935	2939 (-131 from 1935)	0.27614
1935	64 (-1 from 1934)	3070 (-105 from 1934)	0.28703
1934	63 (-1 from 1933)	3175 (+142 from 1933)	0.29898
1933	62 (-3 from 1932)	3033 (-231 from 1932)	0.29730
1932	59 (+1 from 1931)	3264 (+103 from 1931)	0.30379
1931	60 (-3 from 1930)	3161 (-92 from 1930)	0.29548
1930	57 No change from 1929	3253 (+79 from 1929)	0.28800
1929	57 No change from 1928	3174 (-74 from 1928)	0.28656
1928	57 (+3 from 1927)	3248 (-5 from 1927)	0.28462
1927	60 (-3 from 1926)	3253 (-156 from 1926)	0.27997
1926	57 (+7 from 1925)	3409 (+190 from 1925)	0.29761
1925	64 (-4 from 1924)	3219 (-150 from 1924)	0.27957
1924	60 (+1 from 1923)	3369 (+208 from 1923)	0.28819
1923	61 (+4 from 1922)	3161 (+110 from 1922)	0.27917
1922	65 (+2 from 1921)	3051 (-24 from 1921)	0.27115
1921	67 No change from 1920	3075 (-11 from 1920)	0.27023
1920	67 (+2 from 1919)	3086 (+364 from 1919)	0.28035
1919	69 No change from 1918	2722 (-41 from 1918)	0.26809
1918	69 (+5 from 1917)	2763 (+337 from 1917)	0.26348
1917	74 (-1 from 1916)	2426 (+92 from 1916)	0.25289
1916	73 (-6 from 1915)	2334 (-31 from 1915)	0.25281
1915	67 (+7 from 1914)	2365 (+708 from 1914)	0.26847
1914	74 (-1 from 1913)	1657 (+329 from 1913)	0.24249
1913	73 (+4 from 1912)	1328 (+278 from 1912)	0.24765
1912	77 (-6 from 1911)	1050 (+448 from 1911)	0.23258
1911	71 (-4 from 1910)	602 (+57 from 1910)	0.24938
1910	67 (-1 from 1909)	545 (+70 from 1909)	0.26137
1909	66 (+1 from 1908)	475 (+29 from 1908)	0.26857
1908	67 (-7 from 1907)	446 (-29 from 1907)	0.26808
1907	60 No change from 1906	475 (+54 from 1906)	0.29953
1906	60 No change from 1905	421 (-3 from 1905)	0.29223
1905	60 (-5 from 1904)	424 (-8 from 1904)	0.29602
1904	55 No change from 1903	432 (+35 from 1903)	0.31191
1903	55 (+2 from 1902)	397 (+6 from 1902)	0.30699
1902	57 (+2 from 1901)	391 (+53 from 1901)	0.29454
1901	59 (-4 from 1900)	338 (-119 from 1900)	0.29241
1900	55 (+6 from 1899)	457 (+142 from 1899)	0.28188
1899	61 (-5 from 1898)	315 (-79 from 1898)	0.27345
1898	56 (-5 from 1897)	394 (-3 from 1897)	0.29826
1897	51 (-1 from 1896)	397 (-29 from 1896)	0.32556
1896	50 (+6 from 1895)	426 (+46 from 1895)	0.33005
1895	56 (+1 from 1894)	380 (+1 from 1894)	0.30006
1894	57 (-1 from 1893)	379 (+1 from 1893)	0.30346
1893	56 (+1 from 1892)	378 (-7 from 1892)	0.31229
1892	57 (-8 from 1891)	385 (+25 from 1891)	0.29288
1891	49 (+7 from 1890)	360 (+11 from 1890)	0.32947
1890	56 (-2 from 1889)	349 (-6 from 1889)	0.29156
1889	54 (+9 from 1888)	355 (+24 from 1888)	0.29824
1888	63 (+3 from 1887)	331 (+73 from 1887)	0.25480
1887	66 (+1 from 1886)	258 (-13 from 1886)	0.23602
1886	67 (+7 from 1885)	271 (+34 from 1885)	0.22765
1885	74 (+3 from 1884)	237 (+5 from 1884)	0.20441
1884	77 (+1 from 1883)	232 (+30 from 1883)	0.18902
1883	78 (+4 from 1882)	202 (+7 from 1882)	0.17960
1882	82 (+4 from 1881)	195 (+47 from 1881)	0.15980
1881	86 (+9 from 1880)	148 (+6 from 1880)	0.13669
1880	95 First SSA data recorded	142 First SSA data recorded	0.11993

American States Popularity Rankings for Ray

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

Texas (TX)

#8072021

#6622022

#6442023

California (CA)

#6342021

#4722022

#5402023

Pennsylvania (PA)

#9102021

#12132022

#7792023

Ohio (OH)

#13932020

#10132022

#6052023

Illinois (IL)

#11212021

#11272022

#12482023

North Carolina (NC)

#7302021

#10082022

#7422023

Tennessee (TN)

#9332019

#10732020

#9982022

Kentucky (KY)

#6222007

#7572022

#7632023

Michigan (MI)

#9662020

#11052021

#10892023

New York (NY)

#6662021

#9762022

#6862023

Georgia (GA)

#9172020

#7962022

#15182023

Missouri (MO)

#9572019

#8082020

#6852022

Louisiana (LA)

#6932017

#9212019

#9092023

Oklahoma (OK)

#5662010

#6272016

#6662017

Virginia (VA)

#10152021

#9232022

#7552023

Alabama (AL)

#7542013

#6712014

#8312020

Florida (FL)

#6422021

#5822022

#7312023

Indiana (IN)

#8042020

#7452022

#10732023

Arkansas (AR)

#5782013

#5282014

#6052020

West Virginia (WV)

#1471985

#1851988

#2571992

Mississippi (MS)

#4812000

#5912005

#5932013

South Carolina (SC)

#7382010

#6422015

#7632018

Washington (WA)

#7132021

#11202022

#5602023

Kansas (KS)

#5792006

#5642015

#6492020

Iowa (IA)

#5002004

#6172014

#6282015

Colorado (CO)

#6792018

#5702019

#7022022

Arizona (AZ)

#5532021

#7982022

#7222023

Wisconsin (WI)

#8552017

#6572019

#8492020

Utah (UT)

#5952021

#5962022

#7312023

Minnesota (MN)

#6972021

#8052022

#5422023

New Mexico (NM)

#3772011

#3662016

#4242020

Maryland (MD)

#7492017

#8592018

#7552019

New Jersey (NJ)

#7912021

#7992022

#11442023

Nebraska (NE)

#2251978

#2281981

#2061988

Oregon (OR)

#6852014

#6822017

#6772023

Idaho (ID)

#2431983

#3121996

#3922005

Massachusetts (MA)

#5482020

#6612022

#6562023

Montana (MT)

#1851974

#1921980

#1781984

South Dakota (SD)

#1791968

#1921970

#1501972

North Dakota (ND)

#1871962

#1601963

#1711978

Connecticut (CT)

#3722006

#5102007

#4492018

District of Columbia (DC)

#2871979

#3001981

#3481991

Hawaii (HI)

#2961994

#2982005

#1802013

Maine (ME)

#1621977

#1571981

#1781982

Wyoming (WY)

#1451962

#561964

#1651979

Nevada (NV)

#4942019

#5442020

#5652021

Vermont (VT)

#1151959

#1181963

#1171973

New Hampshire (NH)

#1601965

#1421967

#1401975

Alaska (AK)

#1041973

#1911982

#1992001

Delaware (DE)

#1631964

#1511968

#1221972

Rhode Island (RI)

#1621961

#1431963

#1461964

Popularity Rankings for Ray in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand

#3111976

#2891988

#4292016

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

#4182019

#2952021

#3952023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico

#3582007

#5222008

#4712011

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland

#4702015

#3902020

#4252022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales

#4292019

#5872020

#4872021

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland

#7552021

#5722022

#7702023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland

#6252020

#6682021

#7592022

Popularity in Canada

Canada

#7462020

#6842021

#8262022

Popularity in Poland

Poland

#7322015

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada

#8532016

#9782019

#7772022

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden

#8002023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Ray a Name for Boys or Girls?

Ray is generally a boy’s name. Its strong, straightforward sound and historical use make it well-suited for boys

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Ray

Meaning: Advice, king, wise protector
Origin: English, GermanRay
Raymond
Ramon
Raimond
Rey
Rei
Reymond

Meaning: Advice, king, wise protector
Origin: English, GermanRay
Raye
Rey
Rei

Rai
Raye
Rayo

Jensen
Kian
Leif
Magnus
Orion
Percy
Quinlan
Rafferty
Soren
Thaddeus
Wilder

Ray in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

Ray Charles (Musician, 1930–2004): A pioneering American singer, songwriter, and pianist, often referred to as "The Genius," known for his hits like "Georgia on My Mind" and "Hit the Road Jack."
Ray Bradbury (Author, 1920–2012): An American author known for his dystopian novel "Fahrenheit 451" and numerous short stories.
Ray Romano (Comedian, born 1957): An American comedian and actor best known for his role on the TV show "Everybody Loves Raymond."
Ray Liotta (Actor, 1954–2022): An American actor famous for his role in "Goodfellas" and other film and TV appearances.
Ray J (Singer, born 1981): An American singer, songwriter, and television personality known for his music career and reality TV appearances.
Ray Lewis (Football Player, born 1975): An American former professional football player who spent his entire career as a linebacker with the Baltimore Ravens.
Ray Park (Actor, born 1974): A Scottish actor and martial artist known for his roles as Darth Maul in "Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace" and Snake Eyes in the "G.I. Joe" series.
Ray LaMontagne (Singer, born 1973): An American singer-songwriter known for his distinctive voice and songs like "Trouble" and "You Are the Best Thing."
Ray Allen (Basketball Player, born 1975): An American former professional basketball player considered one of the greatest three-point shooters in NBA history.
Ray Davies (Musician, born 1944): An English musician, lead singer and songwriter for the rock band The Kinks.

Ray Stantz ("Ghostbusters," 1984 Film Series): A parapsychologist and founding member of the Ghostbusters, known for his enthusiasm and scientific expertise.
Ray Donovan ("Ray Donovan," 2013 TV Series): A professional fixer for the rich and famous in Los Angeles who can make any problem disappear.
Raymond Holt ("Brooklyn Nine-Nine," 2013 TV Series): The stoic and often humorous captain of the 99th precinct in the NYPD.
Ray Charles ("Ray," 2004 Film): A biographical film about the life of the legendary blind musician Ray Charles.
Ray Ferrier ("War of the Worlds," 2005 Film): A dockworker who struggles to protect his children during an alien invasion.
Ray Barone ("Everybody Loves Raymond," 1996 TV Series): A sportswriter dealing with his overbearing family and the everyday challenges of life.
Raylan Givens ("Justified," 2010 TV Series): A U.S. Marshal enforcing his own brand of justice in his Kentucky hometown.
Ray Kinsella ("Field of Dreams," 1989 Film): A farmer who builds a baseball field in his cornfield after hearing a mysterious voice.
Ray Gaines ("San Andreas," 2015 Film): A rescue pilot who embarks on a dangerous mission to save his daughter after a massive earthquake.
Ray ("Star Wars: The Force Awakens," 2015 Film): A scavenger who discovers her connection to the Force and becomes a key figure in the Resistance.

Ray (North Dakota, USA): A city in Williams County, known for its oil production and small-town charm.
Ray Township (Michigan, USA): A township in Macomb County, recognized for its rural landscapes and agricultural heritage.
Ray (Iran): A city in Tehran Province, notable for its historical sites and ancient ruins.
Ray City (Georgia, USA): A city in Berrien County, known for its quiet neighborhoods and community spirit.
Raymore (Missouri, USA): A city in Cass County, known for its rapid growth and family-friendly environment.

Meaning: Advice, king, wise protector
Origin: English, GermanRay
Rae
Roy
Rey
Rei
Rai
Rayan
Raiden
Ron
Royce

Rex
Reid
Meaning: Horseman, rider, mounted warrior, messenger
Origin: EnglishRyder
Meaning: Island meadow, land where rye is grown
Origin: EnglishRyan
Rhys
Rayburn
Rayford
Raymond
Ransom
Rafael

Sibling Names for Ray

For a Brother
For a Sister

Parents Who Like the Name Ray Also Like

My article has come to an end, and I hope you found it helpful in choosing a name for your baby boy. I look forward to hearing more from you.

Helen Doanna

Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator

Expertise

Child Development Specialist, Child-care Coordinator, Family Support Specialist, Content Writer, Communications Specialist, Educational Consultant, STEAM Teacher

Education

1. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Literature and Journalism
Focus: In-depth knowledge of Literature, knowledge and skills to perceive, create literature or work in related fields; Basic knowledge of communications.

2. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Education Faculty
Focus: Core knowledge of social sciences and humanities – the root for the development of progressive values of education, Multicultural communication in education, Contemporary education in the context of globalization, Learning in the digital technology era, Basic issues of STEAM education, Classroom Management, Special education.

3. Oregon State University, Oregan, US

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Human Development and Family Sciences – Child Development
Focus: Different stages of development, from infancy to adulthood; Develop a strong foundation for a career in early childhood programs or classrooms; Learn strategies for supporting young children’s development in early childhood settings.

Helen is an experienced educational specialist and content creator, known for her innovative approach to children’s learning. With a background in literature and child development, she composes engaging educational content for SimpleKids.net. Her work emphasizes creativity, engagement, and simplicity, aiming to make learning enjoyable and accessible for children and their families.

Ray Name Meaning