How Many People Are Named Ray?
Complete statistics for the name Ray: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Ray, a rare male name with roots in Old English, stands out as unique among names today. With 89,687 people bearing it, that's 1 in 3,679 Americans named Ray. Interestingly, the name peaked in popularity back in 1926.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life-path number 8 symbolizes power, authority, and success.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 81All 209,820 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1926Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Stable
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Ray Through the Generations
Ray has been a steady presence through the generations, with its peak year being 1926 when 3,529 babies were given this name. Today, the majority of those named Ray are over 60, making up 81% of the total. This significant age skew reflects the name's enduring appeal among older generations, while a smaller but notable group of younger individuals also carry on the legacy, ensuring the name remains relevant.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Ray
Ray is a given name and short form (hypocorism) of the given name Raymond and Rachel.…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Ray's Old English roots
📄 About the Name Ray
How Many People Have the Name Ray?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 130,289 people in the United States currently share the name Ray. That works out to roughly 1 in every 2,544 Americans, placing it in the Uncommon category.
Is Ray a Common or Rare Name?
Ray is classified as Uncommon. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Ray Mean?
Ray means "ray of light" and comes from Old English origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 8.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Ray in SSA data, approximately 98% are male and 2% are female.
When Was Ray Most Popular?
The name Ray reached peak popularity in 1926, with 3,529 babies registered that year. Current trend: Stable.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Ray?
Approximately 130,289 people named Ray live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 130,289. That works out to roughly 1 in 2,544 Americans.
Is Ray a rare name?
Ray is classified as Uncommon in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 2,544 Americans has this name.
What does the name Ray mean?
Ray means "ray of light" and comes from Old English origins.
Is Ray more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 98% of people named Ray are male and 2% are female.
When was Ray most popular?
Ray peaked in 1926 with 3,529 births that year. Current trend: Stable.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.