Murray

“from the land by the sea”

United Kingdom origin · Unisex name

♂ 98% boys♀ 2% girls

#2285US 2023

62Births / yr

↑Rising

22kAll-time births

📅 Since 190400

How to pronounce Murray

MUHR·ee

/ˈmər.iː/ · stress on MUHR · 2 syllables

“from the land by the sea”

United Kingdom origin · Unisex name

What does Murray mean and where does it come from?

Originally a surname of Scottish origin, Murray has been used as a first name in both female and male forms. The name Murray is derived from the Gaelic 'Mhoire' meaning 'sea settlement'. It gained popularity in the 20th century as a feminine name. Notable people include Murray McLauchlan, a Canadian

Cultural significance

Murray has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in United Kingdom-speaking communities, where it reflects values of from the land by the sea.

Peak popularity

Reached #1907 in 1904 — currently #2285 in the US.

🌿

How else can you spell Murray?

Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive

What middle names flow best with Murray?

Murray works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Murray Grace

How popular is Murray right now?

Rising fast — up 492 spots — currently #2285 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1910–2023#2285 · Top 1.7%

1910

1920

1925

1930

1940

1960

1990

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#2285	62	▲ up 492 · +32% births
2022	#2777	47	▲ up 229 · +15% births
2021	#3006	41	▲ up 9049 · +486% births
2020	#12055	7	▲ up 940 · +40% births
1990	#12995	5	▼ down 7801 · -29% births
1960	#5194	7	▼ down 812 · +40% births
1940	#4382	5	▼ down 697 · -29% births
1930	#3685	7	▼ down 306 · -22% births
1925	#3379	9	▲ up 1034 · +50% births
1920	#4413	6	▼ down 2249
1910	#2164	6	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Murray

Best Year1910Rank #2164

Peak Count62

Average Rank#5121

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1910 - 202311 years

The story of Murray

Murray entered American naming records in 1904 and has been in use for over 120 years. A total of 22,000 babies have received this name. Murray is used for both genders: 2% female and 98% male.

Names that peaked alongside Murray in 1904:

Mary Helen Anna Margaret Ruth

Murray by decade

Murray peaked in the 1900s. See all 1900s names →

Decade	Births
1880s	203
1890s	298
1900s	527
1910s	3,320
1920s ★	5,617
1930s	2,933
1940s	2,589
1950s	2,716
1960s	1,667
1970s	681
1980s	423
1990s	309
2000s	230
2010s	433
2020s	54

What are good nicknames for Murray?

Common

MurMuUrray

What names sound and feel like Murray?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Murray also consider these

Murrey

Scotland · Scottish

Murry

American · Sea warrior

Murna

Scotland · A variant of

French · from the river

Torray

American · Derived from 'Torrey',

Terray

American · English

How is Murray written in other languages?

Common questions about the name Murray

What does the name Murray mean?

Murray means "from the land by the sea" — a name rooted in United Kingdom tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Murray?

Murray is currently a distinctive and less common name as a baby name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Murray have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Murray?

Murray originates from United Kingdom tradition. United Kingdom names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Murray?

Murray is a two-syllable name pronounced M AH1 R IY0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

Is Murray trending right now?

Murray is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.