Find out how popular the first name Murray has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Murray by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Murray is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 96% of people named Murray being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 61 male babies and 13 female babies born with the name Murray.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 13 baby girls were named Murray in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Murray

The given name Murray is of Scottish Gaelic origin, derived from the word 'muire' meaning 'from the sea settlement'. It is believed to have originated in the 12th century, specifically in the coastal regions of Scotland. The name was initially used as a surname for those who lived near the sea or coastal areas.

In its earliest recorded instances, the name was spelled as 'Muray' or 'Mureye'. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Willelmus de Muray, a Scottish landowner mentioned in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a historical record of Scottish nobles who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England.

The name gained popularity in Scotland during the Middle Ages, particularly among the nobility and landed gentry. One notable figure was Sir Andrew Murray (c. 1298-1338), a Scottish patriot and military commander who played a significant role in the Scottish Wars of Independence against England.

As the name spread beyond Scotland, it appeared in various forms across Europe. In Ireland, the name was anglicized as 'Murray' or 'Murry', while in France, it was spelled as 'Moray' or 'Mure'. The name also found its way into religious texts, with Saint Muricus of Auxerre (c. 638-707), a Frankish bishop, being one of the earliest recorded saints with the name.

Among the notable historical figures with the given name Murray, one can mention Murray Leinster (1896-1975), an American writer of science fiction and alternate history novels. Another prominent bearer was Murray N. Rothbard (1926-1995), an influential American economist, historian, and political theorist.

In the world of sports, Murray Rose (1939-2012) was an Australian swimmer and multiple Olympic gold medalist, while Murray Walker (1923-2021) was a renowned British motorsport commentator known for his distinctive voice and enthusiasm.

Finally, in the realm of music, Murray Head (born 1946) is a British actor and singer, best known for his hit single "One Night in Bangkok" from the musical Chess.

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 Murray was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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