Ray

“Variant of Raymond — Advice and protection” — Germanic, via Old French origin

Boy's name · #791 in the US (2025) · Timeless

Ray has appeared in US records since 1880 — best rank #49 (1891) · 204,701 babies named Ray all-time · 1 in 5,300 boys born in 2025.

Around the world: about 1 in 3,400 boys in Belgium (2025) · about 1 in 3,900 boys in Scotland (2025) · about 1 in 4,200 boys in England & Wales (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 26 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Rays

Ray Bradbury — American author and screenwriter (1920–2012)
Ray Charles — American singer, pianist and songwriter (1930–2004)
Ray Liotta — American actor (1954–2022)
Ray Milland — British actor (1907–1986)
Ray Kroc — American businessman

In stories & tradition

Ray (Atom) — Legends of Tomorrow · Arrow
Ray Stantz — Ghostbusters · Ghostbusters: The Video Game
Ray — DC Universe

What Rays become

Among 3,193 notable people named Ray:

Athletes appear 2.32× more often than among typical names — e.g. Ray Allen, American basketball player.

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.