Ray
A unisex name of Latin origin, meaning a form of Raymond; counsel warrior.
How Ray has moved
View as table
| Year | US rank |
|---|---|
| 2015 | #713 |
| 2016 | #752 |
| 2017 | #767 |
| 2018 | #726 |
| 2019 | #734 |
| 2020 | #725 |
| 2021 | #841 |
| 2022 | #761 |
| 2023 | #769 |
| 2024 | #779 |
| 2025 | #792 |
Ray by the numbers
In 2025, 64 babies in England and Wales were named Ray. In the US, 325 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
It is used at about the same rate on both sides of the Atlantic.
Its American peak was 3,410 babies in 1957, so it is a 1950s name that has since fallen a long way.
At its height, in 1895, about 1 in 330 American babies born that year was called Ray.
Other names that come from Raymond
Like Ray, each of these traces back to Raymond: a form of it, a name built from it, or a son or daughter of it. Not always the same sex.
- Raymondwise protector or counsel warrior1,192 in the US (2017)
- Ramonwise protector; form of Raymond385 in the US (2017)
- Raymundocounsel protection; a form of Raymond78 in the US (2017)
- Raymonwise protector; a form of Raymond5 in England and Wales (2025)
- Ramonerenowned protector; form of Raymond25 in the US (2017)
- Reymondwise protector; a form of Raymond12 in the US (2017)
- Ramondwise protector; a form of Raymond7 in the US (2017)
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Ray. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
Sounds like Ray
Names that are said the same way as Ray, however they are written. Sounding alike does not mean they share a history.
- Raye38 in England and Wales (2025)
Other names that mean a warrior
Like Ray, each of these has a warrior in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Wyattbrave in war9,768 in the US (2017)
- Owenyoung warrior, well-born9,341 in the US (2017)
- Robertbright fame; renowned warrior5,507 in the US (2017)
- Nolanchampion, descendant of the noble one5,403 in the US (2017)
- Milessoldier; merciful3,615 in the US (2017)
- Luisfamous warrior; form of Louis3,379 in the US (2017)
Other names that mean wisdom
Like Ray, each of these has wisdom in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Sophiawisdom14,848 in the US (2017)
- Sofiawisdom1,490 in England and Wales (2025)
- Skylarscholar, learned one; a modern respelling of Schuyler4,984 in the US (2017)
- Quinndescendant of Conn; wise and intelligent4,467 in the US (2017)
- Sophiewisdom724 in England and Wales (2025)
- Athenagoddess of wisdom and warfare519 in England and Wales (2025)