Ray is a distinctive choice, ranked #2001 in 2024. Your child is likely to be the only Ray in their class.
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UK Rank 2024
#2001
US Rank #779
About the Name Ray
Ray is climbing rapidly up the charts, having climbed 1898 places in just five years. Its best recorded rank was #513 in 2014 — and current momentum suggests it could challenge that mark again. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996.
Ray is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it ranks even higher at #779, where it enjoys a particularly strong following.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Ray
Unlikely. With around 14 UK babies named Ray per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Ray in his class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Ray is currently rising in popularity in the UK, up 1898 places over the last five years to #2001 in 2024. If this trend continues, it will become more common in classrooms over the next decade.
Ray is more popular in the US (#779) than in the UK (#2001). Names with strong rankings in both countries tend to have broad cross-cultural appeal, working well for international families or those with ties to both nations.
Notable people named Ray include: Ray Slijngaard — Raymond Lothar Slijngaard is a Dutch singer and rapper best known as one half of the Eurodance duo 2 Unlimited.; Nala Ray — Nala Ray is an American social media influencer, Christian activist, cosplayer, and former pornographic content creator.; Babyface Ray — Marcellus Rayvon Register, known professionally as Babyface Ray, is an American rapper..
Ray ranks #779 in the US top 1,000 (2024). It's recognised in America but considerably more popular in the UK.
14
UK babies named Ray (2024)
< 1
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.0
In a school of 600
↑ 1898 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Ray
Likely around 1 other Ray in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Ray
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Nala Ray is an American social media influencer, Christian activist, cosplayer, and former pornographic content creator. Ray was raised in a conservative Christian household as the daughter of a Baptist pastor.
James Earl Ray was an American fugitive who was convicted of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968.
Brian Thomas Ray is an American musician best known as a guitarist, bassist and backing vocalist with Paul McCartney's touring band since 2002, and formerly as a musical director and guitarist for Etta James. Ray has performed with numerous other artists and leads his own band, The Bayonets.
Raymond McCloud III is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist. He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL draft.