NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Shray

A name of Indian origin meaning "illustrious" or "excellence".

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.

Shray is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Shray popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4991, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2022, with 8 births.

This profile covers 48 England and Wales registrations across 11 recorded years from 2006 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 38% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 48 living people in the UK are called Shray. 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

  • Shray ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2022, when 8 boys were registered as Shray.
  • About 48 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shray as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4991

2023

Births in 2023

3

Latest year

Peak year

2022

8 births

Estimated living

48

2026

Meaning

What does Shray mean?

The name Shray is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit language and can be traced back to ancient India. Sanskrit is an ancient Indo-Aryan language that served as the classical literary and scholarly language of the Indian subcontinent. The word Shray likely derives from the Sanskrit root word "shri," which means prosperity, wealth, and auspiciousness.

In Hinduism, Shri is also a title of respect and reverence, often used before the names of deities and spiritual figures. The name Shray may have been used as a way to seek blessings or to bestow prosperity upon the bearer of the name. It is possible that the name was inspired by Hindu scriptures or ancient texts that referenced the concept of Shri.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Shray can be traced back to ancient India, although the exact dates are difficult to pinpoint due to the scarcity of historical records. One of the earliest known individuals with the name Shray was Shray Dhar, a prominent scholar and philosopher who lived in the 8th century CE. He was known for his contributions to the field of Vedic literature and his writings on Hindu philosophy.

Another notable figure in history with the name Shray was Shray Karna, a military leader and warrior who served under the Maurya Empire during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya in the 4th century BCE. He is celebrated for his valor and strategic prowess in various battles and conquests.

In the 16th century, Shray Bhatia was a renowned poet and writer who composed works in the Braj Bhasha language. His poetry, which often focused on themes of love and devotion, was widely appreciated and influential in the literary circles of that era.

During the 18th century, Shray Narayan was a revered spiritual leader and yogi who gained fame for his teachings on meditation and self-realization. He is believed to have had a significant impact on the spread of yoga and Hindu philosophy across various regions of India.

In more recent times, Shray Agarwal, born in 1932, was a prominent Indian businessman and philanthropist who founded the Shray Group of Companies. He was known for his contributions to various social and educational initiatives, as well as his role in promoting economic development in India.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who carried the name Shray, but the name's origins and cultural significance can be traced back to ancient India and the Sanskrit language, where it was likely used to bestow blessings and prosperity upon its bearers.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Shray over time

The chart below shows babies named Shray registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2006 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 Shray, the clearest high point is 2022. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 8 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Shray
02468200620142023

Decades

Shray by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shray 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 #3840 19 4
2010s #4002 21 5
2000s #3565 8 2

Related

Names similar to Shray

FAQ

Shray: questions and answers

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

In 2023, Shray was ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Shray most popular?

The peak year on record was 2022, with 8 babies registered as Shray in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Shray?

A name of Indian origin meaning "illustrious" or "excellence".

How many people are called Shray in the UK?

A total of 48 babies have been registered as Shray across the 11 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.