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Raleigh
β Boy
Pronounced RAW-lee /ΛrΙΛ.li/High
Meaning: meadow of roe deerMedium
In 30 seconds: Raleigh is an Old English surname and place name meaning meadow of roe deer. A distinguished two-syllable name associated with explorer Sir Walter Raleigh.
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Origin HighOld English
Meaningmeadow of roe deer
U.S. rank (2025)#2222 β Rising
2025 U.S. births64 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1921
Total births (all-time)β 9,277
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Raleigh is an Old English place name and surname from ra (roe deer) + leah (meadow). Raleigh, North Carolina was named after Sir Walter Raleigh.
Raleigh has been used as a given name in the US, particularly in North Carolina and the South.
Did you know? Sir Walter Raleigh's half-brother was the explorer Humphrey Gilbert β and together they planned to establish English colonies in North America, with Raleigh sponsoring the first English settlement at Roanoke Island.
Overall data confidence 82%
Behind the Name: Raleigh β name etymology referenceUS Social Security Name Database β U.S. popularity data
Variations
RawleyRayleighRaley
Nicknames
RayLeigh
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Frequently Asked
What does Raleigh mean?
Raleigh means meadow of roe deer.
How do you pronounce Raleigh?
Raleigh is pronounced RAW-lee (/ΛrΙΛ.li/), with 2 syllables.
Is Raleigh a boy's name?
Yes, Raleigh is used as a boy's name.
How popular is the name Raleigh?
Old English place name; roe deer meadow meaning well established.