Ray
Ray is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Counsel, wise protection, or ray of light.
Origin and history
Ray is a short, unisex name derived from Germanic roots meaning counsel or protection, or from the French word for ray of light. While historically more common for boys, it has a long history of minor usage as a given name for females in the United States. Today, it remains a rare, modern-sounding choice for girls, often chosen for its crisp, minimalist quality.
Popularity in the United States
5,606 babies in the United States have been named Ray since 1880. It ranks #2286 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1950.
States where it is most popular
- NY (48 %)
- TX (23.1 %)
- PA (4.6 %)
- CA (4.2 %)
- NC (4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 193 |
| 1890-1900 | 364 |
| 1900-1910 | 374 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,033 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,145 |
| 1930-1940 | 669 |
| 1940-1950 | 431 |
| 1950-1960 | 433 |
| 1960-1970 | 282 |
| 1970-1980 | 200 |
| 1980-1990 | 112 |
| 1990-2000 | 64 |
| 2000-2010 | 40 |
| 2010-2019 | 115 |
| 2020-2029 | 151 |
Famous people named Ray
- Ray Danger: Model, Content Creator
Fun facts
- The name stems both from Germanic elements like 'ragin' (counsel) and the Old French word 'rai' (beam of light).
- Although more frequently registered as a male name in the U.S., Ray has appeared regularly in female birth records since the 19th century.