Holding steady.
Popularity of Leray since 1920
Babies named Leray per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Leray's real moment was 1935.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 45 |
| 1930s | 36 |
| 1940s | 22 |
| 1950s | 10 |
| 1960s | 10 |
| 1970s | 16 |
| 1980s | 35 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Leray is a rare given name in the United States, first recorded in 1920. Its popularity peaked in 1935, when it was given more often than in any other year, but it has never ranked among the top 1,000 names. The trajectory of its usage has remained stable over the decades, with no states showing a particularly high concentration. The name may be a variant of the more familiar Leroy, which derives from the French 'le roi' meaning 'the king,' or it could be a modern coinage. Its infrequent use makes it a distinctive choice, though its meaning remains uncertain.
Leray appears as a rare given name in the United States, first recorded in 1920. It may be a variant spelling of Leroy, which derives from the French 'le roi' meaning 'the king.' Alternatively, it could be a modern invention formed by combining the popular prefix 'Le-' with the common sound '-ray.' Its usage peaked in 1935 but has remained rare, never ranking among the top 1,000 names.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ray, Lee
Sibling names for Leray
Names that share Leray's style, for a brother or sister.
