Wray Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: RAY //reɪ//
Origin: English; Old English
Meaning: English: 'river bank'; Old English: 'dweller by the river bank'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Wray is of Old English origin, derived from the word "wrǣg," which means "a corner" or "a nook." This term evolved through various forms in the English language, eventually becoming a surname that was used to denote geographical features or locations characterized by such corners or nooks. The transition from a geographical descriptor to a personal name occurred as surnames began to be adopted as given names in the Middle Ages, particularly in England, where the use of surnames became more common around the 12th century.
Historically, the name Wray can be linked to various locations in England, particularly in the northern regions, where it may have been used to identify individuals from those areas. The name appears in records as early as the 13th century, associated with landowners and local gentry.
One notable historical milestone is the mention of the name in the Domesday Book of 1086, which documented the lands and resources of England following the Norman Conquest. This indicates that the name was already in use as a surname by that time, reflecting the socio-political landscape of medieval England.
Culturally, the name Wray carries connotations of stability and rootedness, reflecting the geographical features from which it derives. It has been associated with various historical figures and families, contributing to its enduring presence in English-speaking cultures.
The name's simplicity and connection to nature may have contributed to its appeal over the centuries. While diminutive forms or variations are less commonly noted, the name Wray remains a testament to the rich tapestry of English linguistic and cultural history.
Famous people named Wray
In this section, you will find notable people named Wray. 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 Wray who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Wray 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.
Wray Thorn is a businessman best known for being the CEO of the financial technology company, Wray Thorn & Co.
Wray Wilson is a musician best known for his work with the band The Wray Brothers.
Fictional characters named Wray
The following list of fictional characters named Wray 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.
Wray is a fictional character from the film The Last Starfighter. He is a skilled pilot who becomes a key player in the battle against an alien invasion.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Wray, 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 Wray. 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 Wray was first seen in the United States in 1942.
Wray has ranked as high as #1113 nationally, which occurred in 1958, and has been most popular in Ohio.
In the past 5 years the name Wray has been trending about the same compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Wray 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 Wray was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Wray (1958)
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.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| OH | 5 |
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 Wray.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1968 | 5 |
| 1959 | 5 |
| 1958 | 7 |
| 1942 | 6 |