Laray Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: luh-RAY /ləˈreɪ/
Origin: English; French
Meaning: English: derived from 'Lara'; French: 'the laurel'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Laray is believed to have roots in the Latin name "Laurus," which means "laurel" or "bay tree." The laurel tree has historically been associated with victory and honor, as laurel wreaths were awarded to victors in ancient Greece and Rome. The transition from Latin to the modern form of Laray likely involved influences from Old French and Middle English, where variations of the name began to emerge, adapting the phonetics and spelling to fit the linguistic patterns of those languages.
In terms of historical milestones, the use of laurel as a symbol can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where it was often linked to the gods and used in various religious and cultural ceremonies. The name itself, while not widely documented in historical texts, can be associated with the broader cultural significance of the laurel in literature and art, particularly during the Renaissance when classical themes were revived.
The laurel has also been referenced in various literary works, including those of poets and playwrights who sought to evoke themes of triumph and achievement. Culturally, the name Laray may carry connotations of honor and success, reflecting the attributes associated with the laurel.
This symbolic resonance has allowed names derived from laurel to endure through centuries, as they evoke a sense of nobility and accomplishment. While diminutive forms or variations may exist, such as "Lara" or "Lary," the essence of the name remains tied to its origins in the natural world and its historical significance in celebrating victory and achievement.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Laray, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Laray. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Laray was first seen in the United States in 1930.
Laray has ranked as high as #1364 nationally, which occurred in 2009, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Laray has been trending about the same compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Laray is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Laray was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Laray
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Laray.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2009 | 14 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 1999 | 6 |
| 1997 | 7 |
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1994 | 6 |
| 1993 | 5 |
| 1992 | 11 |
| 1991 | 13 |
| 1990 | 13 |
| 1989 | 9 |
| 1988 | 11 |
| 1987 | 5 |
| 1986 | 13 |
| 1985 | 6 |
| 1984 | 12 |
| 1983 | 9 |
| 1982 | 11 |
| 1981 | 5 |
| 1980 | 11 |
| 1979 | 10 |
| 1978 | 6 |
| 1976 | 8 |
| 1975 | 7 |
| 1974 | 6 |
| 1973 | 10 |
| 1972 | 8 |
| 1971 | 7 |
| 1969 | 5 |
| 1968 | 5 |
| 1967 | 10 |
| 1965 | 10 |
| 1964 | 5 |
| 1963 | 6 |
| 1960 | 5 |
| 1959 | 9 |
| 1952 | 7 |
| 1951 | 5 |
| 1950 | 7 |
| 1949 | 7 |
| 1946 | 5 |
| 1930 | 5 |