NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Deray

A variant spelling of the French given name Dèrè, meaning "from the oak tree.".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2004. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Deray is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Deray popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2004 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3651, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2004, with 3 births.

This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2004 to 2004. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

Deray is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Deray. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2005 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Deray ranked #3651 for boys in England and Wales in 2004, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2004, when 3 boys were registered as Deray.
  • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Deray as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3651

2004

Births in 2004

3

Latest year

Peak year

2004

3 births

Estimated living

3

2026

Meaning

What does Deray mean?

The name Deray is believed to have its origins in the French language, with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is thought to be a variation of the French name "Désiré," which means "desired" or "longed for."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Deray can be found in the historical records of the city of Lyon, France, where a nobleman named Deray de Montcalm was mentioned in a document from the 13th century. This suggests that the name was already in use among the French aristocracy during that time period.

In the 14th century, a French scholar and theologian named Deray d'Auxerre (1290-1362) gained prominence for his writings on the teachings of the Catholic Church. His works were widely circulated and studied throughout Europe, further spreading the recognition of the name Deray.

During the Renaissance period, a notable figure named Deray de Chambord (1470-1535) was a renowned artist and painter who worked for the French royal court. His masterpieces can still be admired in various museums and galleries across France.

In the 17th century, a French military officer named Deray de Vauban (1633-1707) made significant contributions to the field of fortification and siege craft. His innovative defensive designs and strategies were widely adopted by armies throughout Europe, earning him a place in military history.

Another prominent individual with the name Deray was Deray de La Fontaine (1621-1695), a French fabulist and one of the most widely read French poets of the 17th century. His collection of fables, known as "Fables of La Fontaine," remains a classic work of French literature.

While the name Deray has its roots in French culture and history, it has also been adopted and used in other parts of the world over the centuries, albeit with varying spellings and pronunciations. However, the historical records and notable figures mentioned above provide a glimpse into the rich heritage and legacy associated with this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Decades

Deray by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Deray was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2000s #3651 3 1

Related

Names similar to Deray

FAQ

Deray: questions and answers

How popular is the name Deray in the UK right now?

In 2004, Deray was ranked #3651 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Deray most popular?

The peak year on record was 2004, with 3 babies registered as Deray in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Deray?

A variant spelling of the French given name Dèrè, meaning "from the oak tree.".

How many people are called Deray in the UK?

A total of 3 babies have been registered as Deray across the 1 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.