Ra
Primarily a boy's name of Egyptian origin with 216 recorded births. Also given to 20 girls.
Meaning & Origin
Abbreviation of average roughness
Ra is a boy's given name of Egyptian origin, the name of the ancient Egyptian sun god — the most important deity in the Egyptian pantheon, who sailed across the sky in his solar barque each day and through the underworld each night. Ra represented light, warmth, and the creative power that sustains all life.
Used as a given name today, Ra carries the full weight of five thousand years of civilization — possibly the most ancient still-usable given name in the world. Brief and absolute, like sunlight itself.
EtymologyShow more
Ra first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1972. First appearing in the 1970s, Ra emerged during a period of rapid naming innovation in America, when parents increasingly created new names or adopted them from global cultures.
Its Egyptian classification suggests a path from egyptian linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Ra climbed 3413 spots in the last 20 years — from #11004 to #7591.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 85 | #6054 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 74 | #7707 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 24 | #11089 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 5 | #9954 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 10 | #7882 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 18 | #5321 | — |
The Story of Ra
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2023, Ra is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Ra are most likely born between 2013 and 2024.
How rare is Ra?
Only about 1 in every 327,273 babies born in 2024 was named Ra — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1972, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2020s with 85 births that decade.
Ra by the numbers
- Would fill 5 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(21 years, 1972–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 11 | #7591 |
| 2023 | 29 | #3857 |
| 2022 | 19 | #5171 |
| 2021 | 10 | #8014 |
| 2020 | 16 | #5637 |
| 2019 | 21 | #4765 |
| 2018 | 16 | #5722 |
| 2017 | 14 | #6263 |
| 2016 | 7 | #10470 |
| 2015 | 9 | #8560 |
| 2013 | 7 | #10460 |
| 2009 | 5 | #14000 |
| 2004 | 6 | #11004 |
| 2002 | 6 | #10355 |
| 2001 | 7 | #8997 |
| 1995 | 5 | #9954 |
| 1988 | 5 | #8211 |
| 1986 | 5 | #7553 |
| 1976 | 8 | #4312 |
| 1975 | 5 | #6097 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Ra as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Ra has also been given to 20 girls in the U.S. since 1969.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ra a boy's or girl's name?
When was Ra most popular?
How popular is the name Ra?
Can Ra be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1972–2024