A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Murray since 1880
Babies named Murray per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1922, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Murray's real moment was 1911.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 203 |
| 1890s | 298 |
| 1900s | 522 |
| 1910s | 3,261 |
| 1920s | 5,542 |
| 1930s | 2,908 |
| 1940s | 2,539 |
| 1950s | 2,681 |
| 1960s | 1,633 |
| 1970s | 671 |
| 1980s | 417 |
| 1990s | 304 |
| 2000s | 230 |
| 2010s | 404 |
| 2020s | 295 |
Meaning & origin
Murray is a Scottish surname-turned-given name with a strong, straightforward sound. Records from the U.S. Social Security Administration show the name first appearing in 1880 and reaching its peak rank of 144th in 1911. After declining for much of the 20th century, Murray has been rising in popularity since 2003, though it remains relatively uncommon. In 2025, the name ranked 2,604th, with approximately 1 in 34,162 baby boys receiving the name. Its revival suggests a renewed interest in vintage Scottish names. While not concentrated in any particular state, Murray carries a dignified, classic appeal that pairs well with both traditional and modern sibling names.
Murray is a Scottish surname turned given name, derived from the region of Moray in northeastern Scotland. The name Moray itself may come from the Celtic word 'mori' meaning 'sea' and the suffix '-ia' meaning 'land', thus 'land by the sea'. The surname Murray has been borne by a prominent Scottish clan since the Middle Ages. As a first name, it gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Where Murray is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Murray” around the world
Where Murray lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Murr
Variants: Moray
Sibling names for Murray
Names that share Murray's style, for a brother or sister.
