Raye

Raye is a masculine name that can function as both a given name and a nickname. It likely derives from the English word 'ray' (as in a beam of light) or may be a shortened form of Raymond, which comes from Germanic elements meaning 'advice' and 'protector.' As a male name, Raye represents a less common spelling variant of Ray. The added 'e' gives the name a distinctive written appearance while maintaining the same pronunciation. This simple, single-syllable name has a direct, unpretentious quality that has appealed to parents throughout the 20th century, though never reaching high levels of popularity. Raye combines brevity with a bright, positive association that makes it both accessible and meaningful.

Pronounced RAY.

As of October 2026, Raye ranked #6225 in US births in 1982 SSA, peaked at #2007 in 1948.