Declining since 2017, #1,163 for girls today.
Popularity of Raylee since 1988
Babies named Raylee per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 161 |
| 2000s | 1,079 |
| 2010s | 2,535 |
| 2020s | 1,257 |
Meaning & origin
Raylee is a modern invented name that first appeared on the U.S. naming charts in 1988, reflecting a late 20th-century trend of blending popular sounds and suffixes. Its peak year came in 2017, when it reached its highest rank, though since then its popularity has been falling. As of 2025, it ranks 1,163 with roughly 1 in 8,077 baby girls receiving the name. Geographically, Raylee shows particular concentration in Southern states, ranking highest in Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Mississippi. The name is part of a larger family of -lee endings (like Kaylee and Brynlee) that gained traction in the 1990s and 2000s. While lacking a centuries-old etymology, Raylee fits a pattern of creative naming that emphasizes modern American stylistic preferences.
Raylee is a modern invented name, formed by blending the popular name elements Ray (from Raymond or as a standalone name) and the suffix -lee (from Lee, an English surname meaning 'clearing' or 'meadow'). It emerged in the late 20th century, likely influenced by the trend of compound names in the Southern United States. The name peaked in popularity in 2017, with a rank of 1,163 in 2025.
Where Raylee is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ray, Lee, Rae
Sibling names for Raylee
Names that share Raylee's style, for a brother or sister.
