Find out how popular the first name Leray has been for the last 14 years (from 1976 to 1989) and learn more about the meaning and history.
A French masculine name derived from the town of Leray, possibly meaning "clearing" or "meadow."
Based on the last 14 years of data, Leray is exclusively a male name.
For the most recent data in 1989, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Leray.
Year | Male Count | Female Count |
---|---|---|
1989 | 5 | 0 |
1987 | 8 | 0 |
1986 | 6 | 0 |
1984 | 5 | 0 |
1982 | 5 | 0 |
1980 | 6 | 0 |
1979 | 5 | 0 |
1976 | 5 | 0 |
The name Leray has its origins in the French language and can be traced back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "rai," which means "ray" or "beam of light." This name was likely given to individuals born during the day or those with bright, radiant personalities.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Leray can be found in the 12th century, when a Frenchman named Leray de Montfort was mentioned in historical documents. He was a knight who participated in the Third Crusade, fighting alongside King Richard the Lionheart.
Throughout history, the name Leray has been associated with several notable individuals. One of the most famous was Jean Leray, a renowned French mathematician who lived from 1906 to 1998. He made significant contributions to the field of partial differential equations and was awarded the prestigious Wolf Prize in Mathematics in 1979.
Another prominent figure with the name Leray was Claude Leray, a French painter and printmaker born in 1923. He was known for his abstract compositions and was recognized for his contributions to the art world with numerous awards and exhibitions throughout his career.
In the realm of literature, Leray Lenotre was a French historian and author who lived from 1855 to 1935. He was renowned for his works on the history of Paris and was elected to the Académie Française in 1915, a prestigious honor bestowed upon distinguished writers and scholars.
Leray Delisle, born in 1728, was a French geographer and cartographer who created some of the most accurate and detailed maps of his time. His works were highly regarded and served as valuable resources for explorers and travelers during the 18th century.
While the name Leray may not be as common today as it once was, it holds a rich historical significance and has been borne by individuals who have made remarkable contributions across various fields, from mathematics and the arts to literature and cartography.
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 Leray was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
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"Leray first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 24, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/leray-meaning-and-history/.
"Leray first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/leray-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 24 May, 2025
Leray first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/leray-meaning-and-history/.
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