Ray
Ray is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Counsel or protection.
Origin and history
Ray originates as a short form of Raymond, derived from Germanic elements meaning 'counsel' and 'protection'. It has long been used as an independent given name in the United States, peaking in popularity during the early-to-mid 20th century. While less common today, it remains a familiar classic masculine name.
Popularity in the United States
204,701 babies in the United States have been named Ray since 1880. It ranks #183 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #742.
States where it is most popular
- TX (9.6 %)
- CA (8.3 %)
- PA (5 %)
- OH (4.9 %)
- IL (4.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 2,371 |
| 1890-1900 | 3,763 |
| 1900-1910 | 4,256 |
| 1910-1920 | 17,792 |
| 1920-1930 | 32,045 |
| 1930-1940 | 30,211 |
| 1940-1950 | 29,656 |
| 1950-1960 | 29,912 |
| 1960-1970 | 22,183 |
| 1970-1980 | 10,077 |
| 1980-1990 | 7,835 |
| 1990-2000 | 5,401 |
| 2000-2010 | 3,894 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,367 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,938 |
Famous people named Ray
- Ray Charles: Musician, Singer
- Ray Bradbury: Author, Screenwriter
- Ray Liotta: Actor
Fun facts
- Originally a nickname for Raymond or Radulf, Ray became a popular independent given name in the late 19th century.
- Ray ranked among the top 100 most popular boys' names in the U.S. for several decades in the early 1900s.