🔥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.

# 353 in the US

Raya Rank in US Top 1000

# 521 on Nameberry

Raya Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Raya Popularity

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

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