Ray
Peaked at #49 nationally in 1891, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Ray has been recorded 3% of the time for girls and 97% of the time for boys.
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Ray — Girls (United States)
RisingPeak rank
#381
in 1890
Current rank
#4978
in 2024
Years tracked
136
1880–2024
Trend
Rising
Tracked since 1880, Ray reached its peak popularity for girls in 1890, ranking #381 nationally with 44 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has climbed from #11730 (2014) to #4978 (2024) — a 58% improvement.
As of 2024, Ray ranks #4978 nationally for girls, with 27 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #4,978 | 27 |
| 2023 | #5,093 | 26 |
| 2022 | #4,763 | 29 |
| 2021 | #4,926 | 27 |
| 2020 | #5,614 | 22 |
| 2019 | #6,949 | 17 |
| 2018 | #5,963 | 21 |
| 2017 | #5,995 | 21 |
Ray — Boys (United States)
StablePeak rank
#49
in 1891
Current rank
#779
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Stable
Tracked since 1880, Ray reached its peak popularity for boys in 1891, ranking #49 nationally with 360 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #728 (2014) to #779 (2024) — a 7% drop.
As of 2024, Ray ranks #779 nationally for boys, with 322 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #779 | 322 |
| 2023 | #765 | 336 |
| 2022 | #762 | 332 |
| 2021 | #843 | 282 |
| 2020 | #725 | 343 |
| 2019 | #736 | 328 |
| 2018 | #728 | 330 |
| 2017 | #769 | 306 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — boys' names only.
Common Questions
When was Ray most popular?
Ray was most popular in 1891, when it ranked #49 nationally for boys — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Ray becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently rising; for boys, it's currently stable, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Ray?
At least 209,970 babies have been recorded with the name Ray in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Ray? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.