Given name & surname
Raye
“son of grace”·“a wise protector”
Raye is a variant of Rae. One Scottish interpretation is “son of grace.” Raye is a variant of Ray. In English use, Ray carries the interpretation “a wise protector.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Raye is a variant of Rae. One Scottish interpretation is “son of grace.” Raye is a variant of Ray. In English use, Ray carries the interpretation “a wise protector.”
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1889. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Raye through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 2,603
- 306 boys · 2,297 girls
- Most popular year
- 1956
- 74 babies
- 2025
- 17
- #6,769 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +7%
- Steady
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 0% boys.
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 17 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 6,769 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 7.1% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 67 in 1956. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 1,642 as a first name in 2020; 1,601 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Raye’s family of names
Raye has a related form in Ray. Raye has a related form in Rae.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 2
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
People named Raye
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Raye, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Raylene
“son of grace”
>99% girls
Raelene
“son of grace”
>99% girls
Raeleen
“son of grace”
>99% girls
Rayette
“son of grace”
>99% girls
Vonne
“filled with hope”
>99% girls
Rayma
“son of grace”
>99% girls
Nadine
“one who is full of hope”
>99% girls
Nita
“resembling a bear” · “God is giving”
>99% girls