Ray

Ray is a boy's name of English origin. Its meaning is not recorded in the standard references we check — we would rather tell you that plainly than guess. In 2024 it was given to 322 boys in the United States.

Ray at a glance

Gender
Boy name
Origin
English & American
Meaning
Not recorded in standard references

About the name Ray

Ray belongs to the English & American tradition. Its roots are documented, even though its precise meaning is not recorded in the standard references — an honest gap we prefer to a confident guess.

In the United States, Ray first appears in Social Security records in 1880. It climbed to its best-ever rank of #49 in 1891, and in 2024 322 babies received the name — 204,384 in total since 1880. Those are the official counts, not estimates.

Ray in US records

First recorded (US)
1880
Best US rank
#49 in 1891
Peak year
1926
Babies named Ray in 2024
322
Total since 1880
204,384

Ray in England & Wales records

First recorded (since 1996)
1996
Best rank
#429 in 2019
Babies named Ray in 2025
64
Total since 1996
1,418

Similar names

More names from the English & American shelf:

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Ray mean?

The meaning of Ray is not recorded in the standard references we check. Rather than repeat an unsourced claim, we leave it open — its English origin is documented, but its exact meaning is not.

Is Ray a boy or girl name?

Ray is a boy name. In 2024, 322 babies received the name in the US.

What origin is the name Ray?

Ray comes from the English & American tradition.

How popular is the name Ray?

Ray first appears in US records in 1880. Its best-ever ranking was #49 in 1891, and 322 babies were given the name in 2024.

Meaning and origin for this page were checked against this source. US popularity figures are from the Social Security Administration's public baby-names data. England & Wales figures are from the Office for National Statistics. If you spot an error, write to [email protected] — accuracy is the whole point of this site, and corrections are made fast.