Rey Boy

Popularity: #681 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: RAY //reɪ//

Origin: Spanish; English

Meaning: Spanish: king; English: a variant of Ray

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Rey has its roots in the Latin word "rex," meaning "king." This term evolved through various languages, including Old French, where it became "rei," and later influenced the Spanish word "rey," which also translates to "king." The transition into English occurred through the adoption of these Romance languages, particularly during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, when many Latin-derived terms entered the English lexicon, although the direct use of Rey as a name in English is less common than its Spanish counterpart. Historically, the name Rey has been associated with nobility and leadership, reflecting its meaning.

It resonates with various historical figures, including kings and rulers across different cultures. In the context of the Christian tradition, the name may evoke associations with kingship as seen in biblical narratives, such as the references to King David and King Solomon, who are significant figures in both the Old Testament and the broader Judeo-Christian tradition.

The name's regal connotation has contributed to its use in literature and the arts, often symbolizing authority and power. Culturally, the name Rey has been embraced in various forms across different languages and traditions.

In Spanish-speaking cultures, it is not only a name but also a title of respect and authority. The name's association with kingship has made it a popular choice for characters in literature and film, often embodying traits of leadership and valor.

Additionally, diminutive forms like "Reyito" may be used affectionately in familial contexts, though they are less formal. Overall, Rey carries a rich historical and cultural significance that underscores its enduring appeal.

Famous people named Rey

In this section, you will find notable people named Rey. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Rey who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Rey who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Rey Mysterio is a professional wrestler best known for WWE, WCW, and Lucha Libre.

Fictional characters named Rey

The following list of fictional characters named Rey is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Rey is a fictional character from the Star Wars sequel trilogy. She is a scavenger who becomes a key figure in the Resistance against the First Order.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Rey, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

LeoKaiMaxJaxZaneFinn

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Rey. 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.

RayRexRoyReedRyeReeceRafeRian

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Rey was first seen in the United States in 1915.

Rey has ranked as high as #1394 nationally, which occurred in 2021, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Arizona.

In the past 5 years the name Rey has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Rey 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 Rey was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

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 Rey.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 286 262 24
2024 324 304 20
2023 349 318 31
2022 373 320 53
2021 394 328 66
2020 342 257 85
2019 329 287 42
2018 380 314 66
2017 379 303 76
2016 320 257 63
2015 242 242 0
2014 245 245 0
2013 229 229 0
2012 225 225 0
2011 212 212 0
2010 249 249 0
2009 232 232 0
2008 247 247 0
2007 215 215 0
2006 236 236 0
2005 199 199 0
2004 170 170 0
2003 173 173 0
2002 177 177 0
2001 155 155 0
2000 151 151 0
1999 149 149 0
1998 137 137 0
1997 120 120 0
1996 119 119 0
1995 113 113 0
1994 101 101 0
1993 109 109 0
1992 90 90 0
1991 112 112 0
1990 98 98 0
1989 80 80 0
1988 78 78 0
1987 66 66 0
1986 75 75 0
1985 69 69 0
1984 61 61 0
1983 60 60 0
1982 53 53 0
1981 71 71 0
1980 46 46 0
1979 59 59 0
1978 50 50 0
1977 48 48 0
1976 52 52 0
1975 50 50 0
1974 52 52 0
1973 46 46 0
1972 53 53 0
1971 51 51 0
1970 45 45 0
1969 46 46 0
1968 35 35 0
1967 40 40 0
1966 26 26 0
1965 37 37 0
1964 51 51 0
1963 56 56 0
1962 46 46 0
1961 50 50 0
1960 54 54 0
1959 49 49 0
1958 42 42 0
1957 32 32 0
1956 32 32 0
1955 30 30 0
1954 21 21 0
1953 28 28 0
1952 24 24 0
1951 19 19 0
1950 20 20 0
1949 22 22 0
1948 17 17 0
1947 8 8 0
1946 18 18 0
1945 16 16 0
1944 8 8 0
1943 15 15 0
1942 12 12 0
1941 7 7 0
1940 11 11 0
1939 6 6 0
1938 15 15 0
1937 10 10 0
1935 8 8 0
1934 10 10 0
1933 13 13 0
1932 13 13 0
1931 14 14 0
1930 6 6 0
1929 10 10 0
1928 14 14 0
1927 8 8 0
1926 6 6 0
1925 9 9 0
1924 6 6 0
1923 11 11 0
1922 5 5 0
1921 5 5 0
1920 8 8 0
1919 5 5 0
1918 5 5 0
1917 5 5 0
1916 7 7 0
1915 5 5 0

Top States for Rey (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 94
37%
TX 78
31%
FL 15
6%
NY 12
5%
AZ 11
4%
IL 8
3%
IN 7
3%
KS 7
3%
NC 7
3%
UT 7
3%
WA 6
2%