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

Popularity of Raye by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Raye is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 97% of people named Raye being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 14 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Raye.

The history of the first name Raye

The name Raye has its origins in the Old English language and can be traced back to the 7th century AD. It is derived from the Old English word "ræg," which means "roe deer" or "small deer." This name was likely given to individuals who lived in or near forests and woodlands frequented by these animals.

In ancient Anglo-Saxon texts and records, the name Raye appears in various spellings, such as "Raege," "Raegh," and "Raeghe." These variations reflect the fluid nature of spelling and pronunciation during that time period. The name was particularly prevalent in the regions of modern-day England, where Old English was spoken.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Raye was Raye of Mercia, a nobleman who lived in the 8th century AD. He was a prominent figure in the Kingdom of Mercia, which was one of the major Anglo-Saxon kingdoms at the time.

Another notable figure with this name was Raye the Scribe, a monk who lived in the 10th century AD. He was renowned for his calligraphic skills and contributed to the preservation of numerous manuscripts and religious texts through his intricate and meticulous handwriting.

In the 12th century, Raye de Montfort was a French nobleman and crusader who participated in the Third Crusade. He was known for his bravery and leadership on the battlefield during the conflict.

During the Renaissance period, Raye Shelton was an English poet and playwright who lived in the 16th century. Her works, though not widely known today, were celebrated in literary circles of her time for their lyrical beauty and depth of emotion.

In the 17th century, Raye Bradbury was an English explorer and navigator who undertook several voyages to the West Indies and the Americas. His journals and maps contributed significantly to the expansion of geographical knowledge during that era.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who bore the name Raye. While the name may have fallen into relative obscurity in modern times, its rich historical roots and associations with nature, nobility, and exploration make it a unique and evocative choice.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!