Find out how popular the first name Desray has been for the last 5 years (from 1994 to 1998) and learn more about the meaning and history.
A French name derived from the words "desiring" and "ray", suggesting a desired brightness or light.
Based on the last 5 years of data, Desray is exclusively a female name.
For the most recent data in 1998, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Desray.
| Year | Male Count | Female Count |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 0 | 5 |
| 1994 | 0 | 5 |
Desray is a given name with origins that can be traced back to the French language. The name is believed to have emerged during the Middle Ages in France, where it was likely derived from the Old French word "des rais," which translates to "of the rays" or "of the beams." This suggests that the name may have been associated with concepts of light, radiance, or brightness.
In the early medieval period, the name Desray was predominantly found in regions of northern France, particularly in areas like Normandy and Brittany. It was often used as a descriptive name, perhaps referring to individuals with a radiant or luminous appearance or those born during particularly sunny or bright days.
While there are no known direct historical references to the name Desray in ancient texts or religious scriptures, some scholars have drawn parallels between the name's meaning and certain symbolic or poetic references to light and radiance found in medieval literature and poetry.
The earliest recorded examples of individuals bearing the name Desray date back to the 12th and 13th centuries. One notable figure from this period was Desray de Montfort, a French knight who participated in the Albigensian Crusade against the Cathars in the early 13th century.
Throughout history, several other individuals have borne the name Desray, though many records are obscured by time. One notable example is Desray de Chambord (1501-1567), a French nobleman and military commander who served under King Francis I of France during the Italian Wars.
Another individual of note was Desray de Beauvoir (1608-1679), a French philosopher and writer who was known for his works on ethics and morality. His contemporaries included influential thinkers like René Descartes and Blaise Pascal.
In the 18th century, Desray de La Fontaine (1721-1805) was a renowned French botanist and naturalist who made significant contributions to the study of plant life. He is credited with discovering and cataloging numerous plant species found in the Americas.
During the 19th century, Desray de Lamartine (1790-1869) was a celebrated French writer and poet who is considered one of the key figures of the Romantic movement in French literature. His most famous works include the poetic collections "Méditations Poétiques" and "Harmonies Poétiques et Religieuses."
While the name Desray has waned in popularity in recent times, its historical significance and unique origins make it a fascinating example of how given names can reflect cultural and linguistic influences from centuries past.
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 Desray was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
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"Desray first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 5, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/desray-meaning-and-history/.
"Desray first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/desray-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 5 November, 2025
Desray first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/desray-meaning-and-history/.
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