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Ray

Boy / Girl name · 200 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Ray: 200 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to both boys and girls, peaking at 10 births in 2013.

For many, Ray begins as a short, punchy form of Raymond, which itself comes from the Old German *Raginmund*, combining *ragin* (counsel) and *mund* (protector)—so a “wise protector.” It also stands alone, and in the Persian tradition, Ray means “radiant” or “beam of light,” a much softer origin. Music lovers know the legendary Ray Charles, a pioneering soul singer. Screen legend Ray Milland brought elegance to mid-century cinema, while Ray Mears has become Britain’s favourite bushcraft expert. The name also shares its spelling with the flat cartilaginous fish, a pleasingly natural coincidence. A notable variant is Rae, often given to girls in Scotland, making Ray a genuinely flexible choice that works across cultures and genders.