Deray first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Deray has been for the last 39 years (from 1974 to 2012) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Deray

A variant spelling of the French given name Dèrè, meaning "from the oak tree."

Popularity of Deray by gender

Based on the last 39 years of data, Deray is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2012, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Deray.

Year Male Count Female Count
2012 6 0
2008 5 0
2007 9 0
2006 10 0
2005 5 0
2002 6 0
1999 7 0
1996 7 0
1994 5 0
1993 10 0
1992 7 0
1991 9 0
1990 9 0
1989 6 0
1988 7 0
1987 7 0
1986 8 0
1985 7 0
1984 9 0
1982 5 0
1981 5 0
1980 12 0
1979 6 0
1978 5 0
1974 7 0

The history of the first name Deray

The name Deray is believed to have its origins in the French language, with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is thought to be a variation of the French name "Désiré," which means "desired" or "longed for."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Deray can be found in the historical records of the city of Lyon, France, where a nobleman named Deray de Montcalm was mentioned in a document from the 13th century. This suggests that the name was already in use among the French aristocracy during that time period.

In the 14th century, a French scholar and theologian named Deray d'Auxerre (1290-1362) gained prominence for his writings on the teachings of the Catholic Church. His works were widely circulated and studied throughout Europe, further spreading the recognition of the name Deray.

During the Renaissance period, a notable figure named Deray de Chambord (1470-1535) was a renowned artist and painter who worked for the French royal court. His masterpieces can still be admired in various museums and galleries across France.

In the 17th century, a French military officer named Deray de Vauban (1633-1707) made significant contributions to the field of fortification and siege craft. His innovative defensive designs and strategies were widely adopted by armies throughout Europe, earning him a place in military history.

Another prominent individual with the name Deray was Deray de La Fontaine (1621-1695), a French fabulist and one of the most widely read French poets of the 17th century. His collection of fables, known as "Fables of La Fontaine," remains a classic work of French literature.

While the name Deray has its roots in French culture and history, it has also been adopted and used in other parts of the world over the centuries, albeit with varying spellings and pronunciations. However, the historical records and notable figures mentioned above provide a glimpse into the rich heritage and legacy associated with this name.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Deray was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Deray, please contact us.

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"Deray first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on April 30, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/deray-meaning-and-history/.

"Deray first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/deray-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 30 April, 2025

Deray first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/deray-meaning-and-history/.

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