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Home › Baby Names Directory › Race

Race

♂ Boy

Pronounced RAYS /ˈreɪs/Medium

Meaning: From the English word 'race,' a contest of speed or a swift current; also a surname. As a name it's a fast, bold word-name — we note it honestly.Low

In 30 seconds: A word-name: Race means 'a contest of speed' (said 'RAYS'). Fast and bold — we note it's a word.
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Origin LowEnglish
MeaningFrom the English word 'race,' a contest of speed or a swift current; also a surname. As a name it's a fast, bold word-name — we note it honestly.
U.S. rank (2024)#11956 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2002
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,399

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200219542024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Race comes from the English word for 'a contest of speed; a running,' and is also a surname. As a given name it reads bold and fast — a modern word-name, which we note honestly. Rare in the U.S. (said 'RAYS').

It appears rarely in the U.S. Rare, bold, and word-based.

Did you know? Race is an English word, 'a contest of speed' (or a swift current), and a surname; as a name it's a fast, energetic word-name, which we note honestly (said 'RAYS').
Overall data confidence 40%
References — Race — English word/surname 'race'; word-name noted

Variations

RaseRayceRacer

Nicknames

RayRacey

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Race…

Chase— a like action word-name
Cash— a like short bold word-name
Reed— a like one-beat name
Dash— a like fast modern word-name

Explore names like Race

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Race mean?

Race is an English word for 'a contest of speed; a running,' also a surname; as a name it's a word-name, which we note.

How do you pronounce Race?

It's said RAYS /ˈreɪs/ — one syllable.

Is Race a boy or girl name?

Race is a boy's name.

How popular is Race?

Race is a rare name in the U.S.

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