🔥Raya

RAY-uh; RIE-uh

Hebrew, Yiddish, Russian, Arabic, English, Japanese, Malay

"friend; clear, pure; hero; fragrance; queen; night orchid; celebration"

Raya Origin and Meaning

The name Raya is a girl's name of Hebrew origin meaning "friend; clear, pure; hero; fragrance; queen; night orchid; celebration".

More unusual alternative to Maya, Raya has risen in popularity due to the introduction of the newest Disney Princess from the 2021 film Raya and the Last Dragon. One of those truly multi-cultural names, Raya has its origins in Hebrew, Russian, Japanese, Arabic, and English,

On one hand, Raya can be a variation of the Yiddish Rayna meaning "clear, pure", however, it may also link the Reigna and Regina, meaning "queen". Alternatively, it has Hebrew roots, from which it means "friend, beloved", or perhaps Russian origins, as a short form of Raisa meaning "hero" or "rose". Also linked to the Arabic word for fragrance and aroma, it is used in Japan too, as a floral name.

As for the Disney princess, her name was chosen for its Malay meaning, in which it means "celebration" and is associated with joy and family gatherings.

Having been outside the US Top 1000 before 2020, it has since tripled in popularity. In the UK meanwhile, it entered the Top 100 in 2023.

Raya Rank in US Top 1000

# 353 in the US

Raya Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

# 457 on Nameberry

Popularity of the name Raya

• 353 US 2023
• 457 Nameberry 2025
• 60 Unique 2019
• 151 Canada 2023
• 764 Future 2028
• 100 England 2023
• 119 Scotland 2024

20 Names Similar to Raya

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Raya.

• Raina
• Naya
• Nyla
• Rayna
• Kaya
• Siena
• Kyra
• Lylah
• Emi
• Milani
• Nia
• Brielle
• Alaia
• Anika
• Alora
• Kira
• Ariah
• Neveah
• Maleah
• Everlyn

Famous People Named Raya

• Raya Shpigel Dunayevskaya Russian,American Marxist philosopher
• Raya Abirached Lebanese TV personality
• Raya "GirlGoneGamer " YouTube personality
• Raya Bella Bohra (b. 2017), daughter of actor Karanvir Bohra and Teejay Sindhu; twin of sister Vienna

The name Raya in Pop Culture

• Raya character on TV's "Smallville"
• As a Hindu name this can be spelled Rayya.
• "Raya and the Last Dragon " upcoming animated Disney movie