Wray Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Wray originates from Old English, meaning 'corner' or 'nook.' Its historical forms have evolved from Wræge in Old English to Wray in Modern English. The name has a rustic charm and is associated with geographical features, with no direct biblical relevance.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Wray"
Pronunciation
/reɪ/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Wray is derived from the Old English word 'wrae,' which means 'a corner' or 'a nook.' It is often associated with geographical features.
Meaning
corner, nook
Language Evolution
Old English: Wræge, Middle English: Wray, Modern English: Wray
Historical Usage
Wray has been used as a surname and a given name in England since at least the medieval period. It gained popularity in the 19th century as a given name.
Variants & Derivatives
Wrey, Wrayne
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Wray is seen as a unique and somewhat uncommon name. It carries a rustic charm and is often associated with nature due to its geographical connotations.
Famous People
Wray Thorn, Wray Nelson
📊 Wray Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Wray Name Visualizations
✨ Wray Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 28 peak births in 1927
Geographic Spread
Popular across 1 US states, with strongest presence in Ohio
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 8 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Wray"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Wray"
"Wray" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2120th of 7545 | 232 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1925th of 6773 | 264 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2272nd of 7552 | 244 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 4363rd of 10718 | 90 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 10422nd of 16616 | 29 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 8681st of 9204 | 6 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 10394th of 12526 | 12 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 19264th of 19264 | 5 |
Regional Popularity of "Wray" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Wray" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
100.00% 2227th/2227 |
- | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Wray"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Wray" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Wray" in the United States
The name Wray is most popular in Ohio, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Baby Boomers generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Wray has been stalled for female in MidWest. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest. Across generations, 'Wray' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2120th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1925th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2272nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 4363rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 10422nd out of 16616 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 8681st out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 10394th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 19264th out of 19264 names. Discover how the name 'Wray' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.