Find out how popular the first name Raileigh has been for the last 23 years (from 2002 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Raileigh by gender

Based on the last 23 years of data, Raileigh is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Raileigh.

The history of the first name Raileigh

The name Raileigh is believed to have originated from the Old English language, derived from the words "ræd" (meaning "advice" or "counsel") and "leah" (meaning "meadow" or "clearing"). It is thought to have first emerged in the early medieval period, around the 5th or 6th century AD, in the regions of what is now southern England.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Raileigh can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land ownership and resources commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Radleia," likely referring to a person or a place.

In the 12th century, a prominent figure named Raileigh (or Radelegh) was mentioned in the chronicles of the time. He was a nobleman and landowner in the county of Essex, England, during the reign of King Henry II (1154-1189). This early usage of the name lends credence to its English origins.

Throughout the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the name Raileigh. One of the most famous was Sir Walter Raleigh (c. 1552-1618), an English writer, explorer, and courtier who played a significant role in the English Renaissance. He was a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I and was involved in establishing the first English colony in North America, on Roanoke Island.

Another prominent figure was John William Strutt, 3rd Baron Rayleigh (1842-1919), a British physicist who made significant contributions to the study of optics and the discovery of argon. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1904 for his investigations into the densities of the most important gases and for his discovery of argon.

In the realm of literature, Sir Walter Raleigh (1861-1922) was an English scholar, poet, and author who served as a Professor of English Literature at the University of Oxford. He is known for his influential works on literary criticism, including "Shakespeare" and "The English Novel."

While the name Raileigh has its roots in Old English, its usage has been more prevalent in Britain and English-speaking countries. Over time, it has evolved into various spellings, such as Raleigh, Rayleigh, and Ralley, but the core meaning and origin remain rooted in the words "advice" and "meadow."

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

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

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