Rayshaun
A masculine name derived from the given name Ray, meaning "beam of light".
Name Census estimates that about 1,000 living Americans carry the first name Rayshaun. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Rayshaun today is around 26 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Rayshaun births was 2008 (39 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Rayshaun. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
1.0K
~ 1 in 342,754 Americans
Peak year
2008
39 babies that year
Average age
26
years old
2024 SSA rank
#9,645
Tracked since 1977
Popularity
Rayshaun: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Rayshaun from the 1970s through to the 2020s, spanning 6 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 304 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2000s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rayshaun by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Rayshaun during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Rayshauns live
The SSA's state-level files cover 4 states and territories. Ohio, Illinois, California recorded the most babies named Rayshaun, while Georgia, California, Illinois recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 26 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Rayshaun
The name Rayshaun is a modern English spelling variation derived from the Arabic name Rayshawn, which itself has roots in the Arabic language. It is a combination of two Arabic words, "ra'is" meaning "chief" or "leader," and "shawn" meaning "glory" or "majesty."
This name gained popularity in the United States during the late 20th century, particularly among African American families. While its exact origins are unclear, it is believed to have emerged as a blend of traditional Arabic names and African American naming traditions.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rayshaun can be found in historical records from the 1970s. However, it did not become widely used until the 1980s and 1990s, as part of a broader trend towards uniquely spelled names within certain cultural communities.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who have borne the name Rayshaun. One of the earliest recorded individuals was Rayshaun Johnson (1968-2021), an American professional basketball player who played in the NBA from 1992 to 2002.
Another prominent figure was Rayshaun Brayden (1979-), an American author and screenwriter best known for his critically acclaimed novel "The Crimson Tide," which explored themes of family, identity, and social justice.
In the world of music, Rayshaun Williams (1982-) is a renowned jazz saxophonist and composer who has released several acclaimed albums and has performed with some of the most celebrated artists in the genre.
Rayshaun Thompson (1991-) is a celebrated chef and restaurateur who has been recognized for his innovative fusion cuisine, combining traditional Southern flavors with global influences.
Finally, Rayshaun Daniels (1995-) is a young but highly regarded social activist and community organizer who has been at the forefront of various civil rights movements and initiatives aimed at empowering marginalized communities.
While the name Rayshaun has gained popularity in recent decades, its roots can be traced back to the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of the Arabic world, blending elements of leadership, glory, and cultural identity.
People
Rayshaun + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Rayshaun as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with R
Other first names starting with R with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Rayshaun: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Rayshaun?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 1,000 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Rayshaun going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 342,754 US residents.
Is Rayshaun a common name?
We classify Rayshaun as "Rare". It ranks above 90.1% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 1,022 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Rayshaun most popular?
The single biggest year for Rayshaun was 2008, when 39 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Rayshaun is about 26 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Rayshaun a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Rayshaun in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.