Murray
Murray is a boy's name of Scottish origin.
Meaning
Settlement by the sea; maritime land.
Origin and history
Murray originated as a Scottish surname derived from the region of Moray, meaning 'settlement by the sea' or 'maritime land'. While historically common as a traditional masculine name in the United States, its usage has declined significantly in recent decades.
Popularity in the United States
21,908 babies in the United States have been named Murray since 1880. It ranks #795 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1632.
States where it is most popular
- NY (41.4 %)
- PA (6.5 %)
- TX (4.7 %)
- CA (4.4 %)
- MI (3.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 203 |
| 1890-1900 | 298 |
| 1900-1910 | 522 |
| 1910-1920 | 3,261 |
| 1920-1930 | 5,542 |
| 1930-1940 | 2,908 |
| 1940-1950 | 2,539 |
| 1950-1960 | 2,681 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,633 |
| 1970-1980 | 671 |
| 1980-1990 | 417 |
| 1990-2000 | 304 |
| 2000-2010 | 230 |
| 2010-2019 | 404 |
| 2020-2029 | 295 |
Famous people named Murray
- Murray Gell-Mann: Physicist, Nobel Laureate
- Murray Walker: Sports Commentator, Journalist
- Murray Hamilton: Actor
Nicknames
Murr
Fun facts
- The name originally designated someone from Moray in northeastern Scotland, an area named from Gaelic words for 'sea' and 'settlement'.
- Murray was part of an early wave of Scottish surnames that transitioned into popular masculine given names in the English-speaking world.