Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Raymond
BoyGermanic, French· “counsel protector”
- Meaning
- counsel protector
- Origin
- Germanic, French
- Pronunciation
- RAY-mund
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #395
- US babies 2025
- 807
- Best rank
- #14 (1919)
- Peak year
- 1924
Meaning and origin of Raymond
Raymond is a Germanic and French name that means “counsel protector”.
Raymond comes from the Germanic Raginmund, built from ragin, meaning "advice" or "counsel," and mund, meaning "protection." The Normans brought it to England in the form Raimund, and it was widely used by the medieval nobility of southern France, including several counts of Toulouse. Saint Raymond of Peñafort, a Catalan scholar of church law, added to its reputation in the Catholic world. In the United States Raymond was a steady favorite for generations, and it now has a comfortable vintage feel. Ray is the classic nickname, and the full name suggests someone dependable and wise.
Other spellings with the same sound: Raymund.
Popularity over time
Raymond 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 146 different years. Its best national rank was #14 in 1919, and the most babies received it in 1924, when 12,873 were named Raymond. In 2025, 807 babies were named Raymond, and it ranked #395 nationally. That is 42% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #15 in 1920, #31 in 1950, #66 in 1980, #162 in 2000, #224 in 2010, and #395 in 2025. Of the 779,794 US boys named Raymond since records began, 16% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1940s come next, with 109,076 babies. Since 2010, 19,006 more have been named Raymond.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Harold, Fred, Calvin, Edward, and Bernard.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Raymond ranked highest in Nebraska, Montana, and West Virginia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | #240 | 11 |
| Montana | #277 | 5 |
| West Virginia | #288 | 7 |
| Washington | #297 | 26 |
| Pennsylvania | #303 | 38 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Raymond is usually pronounced RAY-mund, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with R and ends in “-nd”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Raymund.
Middle names for Raymond
A few middle names that flow with Raymond: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Raymond
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Lists that include Raymond
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Raymond mean?
Raymond is a Germanic and French name that means “counsel protector”.
What is the origin of the name Raymond?
Raymond has Germanic, French, and English roots. Raymond comes from the Germanic Raginmund, built from ragin, meaning "advice" or "counsel," and mund, meaning "protection." The Normans brought it to England in the form Raimund, and it was widely used by the medieval nobility of southern France, including several counts of Toulouse.
Is Raymond a popular name?
Yes. Raymond ranked #395 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Raymond a boy or girl name?
Raymond is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Raymond?
Raymond is usually pronounced RAY-mund. 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