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Rayleigh

♂ Boy

Pronounced RAY-lee /ˈreɪ.li/High

Meaning: From the English place/surname Rayleigh — Old English, 'a roe-deer's meadow/clearing' (ra, 'roe-deer', plus leah, 'meadow'); used for both sexes; here for boysLow

In 30 seconds: A roe-deer's meadow: Rayleigh is an English place-name — 'a roe-deer's clearing'. Crisp, modern, and warm. Used for both sexes (here for boys).

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Origin LowEnglish

MeaningFrom the English place/surname Rayleigh — Old English, 'a roe-deer's meadow/clearing' (ra, 'roe-deer', plus leah, 'meadow'); used for both sexes; here for boys

U.S. rank (2024)#5820 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births16 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 82

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Rayleigh comes from the English place and surname Rayleigh — from Old English, 'a roe-deer's meadow or clearing' (ra, 'a roe-deer', plus leah, 'a meadow'; the Essex town). The physicist Lord Rayleigh gave his name to 'Rayleigh scattering', why the sky is blue. A crisp, modern surname-name, used for both sexes, here for boys (slug distinguished; it also reads as 'ray' plus '-leigh'; nickname Ray).

It registers thinly in records. Rare, a-roe-deer's-meadow at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Rayleigh means 'a roe-deer's meadow or clearing' (Old English ra, 'roe-deer', plus leah, 'meadow') — the Essex town and the physicist Lord Rayleigh — a crisp surname-name, used for both sexes (here for boys; it also reads as 'ray' plus '-leigh').

Overall data confidence 50%

References — Rayleigh — place-name etymology

Variations

RaleighRaylyRaylee

Nicknames

Ray

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Rayleigh…

Raleigh— a fellow -leigh place-name

Rylan— a companion R- boys' name

Raylan— a sound-neighbor Ray- boys' name

Ryleigh— another unisex pick

Radley— another English name

Explore names like Rayleigh

By themeuncertain english unisex surname-name place-name

By meaningEarth / Nature

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Rayleigh mean?

Rayleigh is an English place-name, 'a roe-deer's meadow/clearing'; it also reads as 'ray' plus '-leigh'.

How do you pronounce Rayleigh?

It's said RAY-lee /ˈreɪ.li/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Rayleigh a boy or girl name?

Rayleigh is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a boy's name.

How popular is Rayleigh?

Rayleigh is a rare name in the U.S.