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

Popularity of Rey by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Rey is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 94% of people named Rey being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 314 male babies and 31 female babies born with the name Rey.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 31 baby girls were named Rey in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Rey

The name Rey has its origins in the Spanish language and culture. It is a masculine name that is derived from the Spanish word "rey," which means "king." The name likely originated in medieval times, during the era of Spanish monarchies and royal dynasties.

In ancient Spanish texts and historical records, the name Rey was often used to refer to actual kings or rulers. It was a title of respect and authority, signifying the highest rank in the kingdom. As a given name, it likely emerged as a way to honor or commemorate a ruling monarch or to express a desire for the child to possess qualities associated with kingship, such as leadership, power, and nobility.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rey dates back to the 13th century, when a Spanish nobleman named Rey de Castilla was mentioned in chronicles from the reign of King Alfonso X. However, it is possible that the name was in use even earlier, as written records from that time period were often incomplete or lost.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Rey. One of the most famous was Rey Pastor, a Spanish mathematician and educator who lived from 1888 to 1962. He made significant contributions to the fields of functional analysis and mathematical analysis, and was a professor at the University of Madrid.

Another prominent figure was Rey Manaj, an Albanian revolutionary and leader of the Kachak movement, which fought against Ottoman rule in the early 20th century. He was born in 1872 and played a crucial role in the struggle for Albanian independence.

In the realm of sports, Rey Mysterio is a well-known Mexican professional wrestler who has achieved great success in both WWE and lucha libre. Born in 1974, he is renowned for his high-flying style and has won numerous championships throughout his career.

Rey Pila was a Filipino boxer and world champion who competed in the 1920s and 1930s. Born in 1899, he held the World Flyweight title from 1923 to 1925 and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1996.

Finally, Rey Negrón was a Puerto Rican actor and comedian who became a popular figure in Latin American television and films during the mid-20th century. Born in 1928, he was known for his comedic roles and his ability to bring laughter to audiences across various Spanish-speaking countries.

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

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

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