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NamyLab

Ray

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Counsel Protector"

Often a short form of Raymond and similar names, it reflects Germanic elements for counsel and protection.

Themes:shortformraymondcommon

Fact-checked by Marcus Chen

B.A. Anthropology, UC BerkeleyMultilingual (4 languages)Cultural Research Fellow • Senior Name Researcher

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Ray

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#779Top 1000

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#779

Ray was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-14

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Ray Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Ray.

9 ideas
Ray-Ray
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rie
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ry
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ro
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ra
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RA
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rayie
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rayy
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rayo
Nickname

Similar Names to Ray

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AN-thuh-nee

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al-ig-ZAN-der

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Albert

AL-bert

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Austin

AW-stun

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“Handsome; Harmonious”

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Andy

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Baby Name Lists That Include Ray

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Ray, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

15 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Ray mean?
Ray means "Counsel Protector". Often a short form of Raymond and similar names, it reflects Germanic elements for counsel and protection.
What is the origin of Ray?
Ray is of Germanic origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Ray?
According to the latest SSA data, Ray is currently ranked #779 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Ray a boy name?
Ray is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Ray?
Popular nicknames for Ray include Ray-Ray, rie, ry, ro, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Ray?
There are many names similar to Ray in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginGermanic, English
Syllables1
Length3 letters
US Rank#779
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withR

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Ray

Ray has Germanic roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Germanic baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Ray appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Traditional English Names and Names That Mean Child Of God for Boys and Girls for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Names That Mean Miracle And Blessing for Boys and Girls and Names That Mean Travel And Adventure for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Ray pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Ray beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.