Holding steady.
Popularity of Rayburn since 1908
Babies named Rayburn per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 7 |
| 1910s | 220 |
| 1920s | 421 |
| 1930s | 560 |
| 1940s | 533 |
| 1950s | 295 |
| 1960s | 230 |
| 1970s | 167 |
| 1980s | 102 |
| 1990s | 33 |
| 2000s | 22 |
| 2010s | 17 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Rayburn is a rare given name in the United States, first recorded in 1908. It reached its peak popularity in 1938, during the 1930s decade, though it never entered the top 1000. The name's trajectory is stable, with infrequent but consistent use over the decades. Its similarity to other surname-based names like Ray and Burnett, combined with the friendly nickname Ray, gives it a distinctly American, old-fashioned charm. Though not widely used today, Rayburn retains a niche appeal for parents seeking a distinctive name with a vintage feel.
Rayburn is likely an English surname, possibly derived from the Old English elements 'ra' (roe deer) and 'burna' (stream), meaning 'roe deer stream'. Alternatively, it may be a variant of the Scottish surname 'Rae' combined with 'burn'. As a given name, it came into occasional use in the United States in the early 1900s, peaking in popularity during the 1930s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ray
Sibling names for Rayburn
Names that share Rayburn's style, for a brother or sister.
