UK boy's name
Eray
A masculine Turkish name meaning "bright" or "brilliant moon".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Eray is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Eray popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3112, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2012, with 14 births.
This profile covers 182 England and Wales registrations across 25 recorded years from 1996 to 2023. 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.
The latest count is about 43% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 181 living people in the UK are called Eray. 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 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Eray ranked #3112 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 6 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2012, when 14 boys were registered as Eray.
- • About 181 living people in the UK are estimated to have Eray as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3112
2023
Births in 2023
6
Latest year
Peak year
2012
14 births
Estimated living
181
2026
Meaning
What does Eray mean?
The name Eray has its origins in the Turkish language, tracing back to the Ottoman Empire era in the Middle Ages. It is believed to be derived from the Old Turkic word "er," which means "man" or "warrior," and the suffix "-ay," which denotes endearment or affection. The name can be interpreted to mean "beloved man" or "dear warrior."
In ancient times, the name Eray was commonly bestowed upon male children born into noble or military families within the Ottoman Empire. It carried a sense of strength, courage, and valor, reflecting the societal values of the time. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in Ottoman archives and historical documents from the 15th to 17th centuries.
One notable figure bearing the name Eray was Eray Pasha, a prominent Ottoman statesman and military commander who lived in the late 16th century. He served as the Grand Vizier, the highest-ranking political advisor to the Sultan, and played a pivotal role in the expansion and governance of the Ottoman Empire during his tenure.
Another historical figure with the name Eray was Eray Çelebi, a renowned Ottoman scholar and poet who lived in the 14th century. His works, which encompassed poetry, philosophy, and Islamic studies, were highly influential during the Ottoman classical period and are still studied and revered today.
In the realm of literature, Eray Cansever, a celebrated Turkish poet and novelist, made significant contributions to modern Turkish literature in the 20th century. Born in 1928, his poetic works explored themes of existentialism, identity, and the human condition, earning him numerous accolades and a prominent place in Turkey's literary canon.
Moving into the modern era, Eray Şamdan, born in 1976, is a prominent Turkish actor and director who has gained widespread recognition for his performances in both film and television. His versatility and dedication to his craft have earned him critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base.
Lastly, Eray İşbilen, born in 1984, is a renowned Turkish singer and songwriter. His unique blend of traditional Turkish music with contemporary styles has captivated audiences worldwide, and he has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the Turkish music industry.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Eray over time
The chart below shows babies named Eray registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Eray, the clearest high point is 2012. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2023, compared with 14 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Eray by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Eray 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #2963 | 25 | 4 |
| 2010s | #2777 | 74 | 10 |
| 2000s | #2131 | 74 | 9 |
| 1990s | #2216 | 9 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Eray
- Ethan 77,394
- Edward 53,212
- Elliot 23,450
- Elijah 22,369
- Ellis 19,358
- Elliott 16,964
- Evan 14,535
- Ezra 11,838
- Ewan 10,685
- Eli 8,126
- Elias 7,049
- Eric 6,654
FAQ
Eray: questions and answers
How popular is the name Eray in the UK right now?
In 2023, Eray was ranked #3112 for boys in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.
When was Eray most popular?
The peak year on record was 2012, with 14 babies registered as Eray in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Eray?
A masculine Turkish name meaning "bright" or "brilliant moon".
How many people are called Eray in the UK?
A total of 182 babies have been registered as Eray across the 25 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.