Kray
A boy's name with 16 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Among U.S. boy's names, Kray is not in the current national top 1,000. In fact, it is among the rarest names in the SSA dataset — a choice that signals bold individuality.
With records spanning 1992 to 1994, Kray has a focused history that reflects a particular moment in naming culture rather than a centuries-old tradition.
Kray is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Kray is a rare masculine name, possibly a phonetic spelling of Cray or a variant inspired by the Kray twins — the notorious British gangsters — though it may also simply be a modern monosyllabic name chosen for its strong sound. The -ay ending fits current preferences for short masculine names ending in a bright vowel sound.
Kray is very uncommon in American records. As a given name, it carries a sharp, edgy quality — brief and punchy in the style of names that feel built for strength.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Kray does not map cleanly to a single linguistic tradition in our records, which often indicates a name that has crossed cultural boundaries, been adapted between languages, or emerged from the blending that defines American naming.
Kray’s rarity (16 recorded births) may indicate it is strongly tied to a specific cultural community or family tradition, rather than part of the broader American naming mainstream.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Kray has 3+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1992.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 16 | #9020 | — |
The Story of Kray
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1993, Kray is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Kray are most likely born between 1992 and 1994.
How rare is Kray?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Kray is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1992, peaked in the 1990s with 16 births that decade.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(3 years, 1992–1994)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 5 | #9639 |
| 1993 | 6 | #8213 |
| 1992 | 5 | #9207 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kray a boy's or girl's name?
When was Kray most popular?
How popular is the name Kray?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1992–1994