Raya
Raya is a girl's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Friend or companion (Hebrew); banner or flag (Arabic).
Origin and history
Raya is a name with multiple global origins, most prominently derived from the Hebrew word for 'friend' or 'companion', as well as Arabic roots meaning 'banner' or 'flag'. It has seen a dramatic increase in popularity in the United States recently, boosted in part by pop culture exposure. Its short, distinct sound aligns well with modern American naming preferences.
Popularity in the United States
8,003 babies in the United States have been named Raya since 1880. It ranks #1870 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #433.
States where it is most popular
- CA (16.4 %)
- TX (8.4 %)
- NY (6.8 %)
- FL (5.9 %)
- OH (4.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 5 |
| 1960-1970 | 16 |
| 1970-1980 | 64 |
| 1980-1990 | 138 |
| 1990-2000 | 385 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,052 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,087 |
| 2020-2029 | 4,256 |
Fun facts
- More than half of all U.S. births registered with the name Raya since 1880 occurred between 2020 and 2025.
- The release of Disney's 2021 animated film 'Raya and the Last Dragon' significantly raised public awareness of the name.