Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Raya
GirlHebrew, Arabic· “friend; several independent sources”
- Meaning
- friend; several independent sources
- Origin
- Hebrew, Arabic
- Pronunciation
- RY-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #369
- US babies 2025
- 831
- Best rank
- #353 (2023)
- Peak year
- 2023
Meaning and origin of Raya
Raya is a Hebrew and Arabic name that is usually said to mean “friend; several independent sources”.
Raya has several independent roots. In Hebrew it is linked to a word for friend, in Russian and Bulgarian it is a short form of Raisa, and in Arabic a similar name, Raya, is associated with a banner or flag. The name gained wide attention through Raya, the heroine of the Disney film Raya and the Last Dragon. Raya is short, bright and international, easy to say in many languages. It is pronounced RY-uh or RAY-uh depending on the family, and it pairs easily with longer middle names.
Popularity over time
Raya first appears in US Social Security records in 1958. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 6 different years, starting in 2020. Its best national rank was #353 in 2023, the same year it reached its highest count of 867 babies. In 2025, 831 babies were named Raya, and it ranked #369 nationally. That is 303% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #5,461 in 1980, #2,565 in 2000, #1,383 in 2010, and #369 in 2025. Of the 8,003 US girls named Raya since records began, 53% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 2,087 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Everlee, Elora, Wrenlee, Astrid, and Ariyah.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Raya ranked highest in Delaware, Maine, and West Virginia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | #137 | 7 |
| Maine | #203 | 6 |
| West Virginia | #223 | 8 |
| Idaho | #235 | 10 |
| Washington | #236 | 31 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Raya is usually pronounced RY-uh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with R and ends in “-ya”.
Middle names for Raya
A few middle names that flow with Raya: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Raya
Similar names
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Lists that include Raya
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Raya mean?
Raya is a Hebrew and Arabic name that is usually said to mean “friend; several independent sources”.
What is the origin of the name Raya?
Raya has Hebrew, Arabic, and Russian roots. Raya has several independent roots.
Is Raya a popular name?
Yes. Raya ranked #369 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Raya a boy or girl name?
Raya is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Raya?
Raya is usually pronounced RY-uh. 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