Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Murray
BoyScottish· “from Moray, settlement by the sea”
- Meaning
- from Moray, settlement by the sea
- Origin
- Scottish
- Pronunciation
- MUR-ee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,633
- US babies 2025
- 50
- Best rank
- #206 (1922)
- Peak year
- 1922
Meaning and origin of Murray
Murray is a Scottish name that is usually said to mean “from Moray, settlement by the sea”.
Murray is a Scottish surname taken from the region of Moray in northeast Scotland, whose name comes from an old Celtic word usually explained as sea settlement. The Murray family became one of the leading noble houses of Scotland, later holding the title Duke of Atholl. As a given name it was used in Scotland, Canada and the US in the twentieth century. It is said MUR-ee. Moray is the older spelling, still used for the region. The tennis player Andy Murray has made the surname familiar far beyond Scotland. Its sound places it close to Murphy and Maury.
Popularity over time
Murray has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 95 different years. Its best national rank was #206 in 1922, the same year it reached its highest count of 628 babies. In 2025, 50 babies were named Murray, and it ranked #2,633 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #239 in 1920, #438 in 1950, #1,172 in 1980, #3,387 in 2000, #3,603 in 2010, and #2,633 in 2025. Of the 21,908 US boys named Murray since records began, 25% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 3,261 babies. Since 2010, 699 more have been named Murray.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Elwood, Percy, Amos, Rufus, and Boyd.
Gender, sound and spelling
About 90% of US babies named Murray over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Murray is usually pronounced MUR-ee, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with M and ends in “-ay”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Marie and Murry.
Middle names for Murray
A few middle names that flow with Murray: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Murray
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Lists that include Murray
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Murray mean?
Murray is a Scottish name that is usually said to mean “from Moray, settlement by the sea”.
What is the origin of the name Murray?
Murray has Scottish roots. Murray is a Scottish surname taken from the region of Moray in northeast Scotland, whose name comes from an old Celtic word usually explained as sea settlement.
Is Murray a popular name?
Not especially. Murray ranked #2,633 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Murray a boy or girl name?
Murray is mainly a boy's name. About 90% of US babies named Murray over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Murray?
Murray is usually pronounced MUR-ee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings