"king, royalty"
Origin: Latin
Language: Spanish
Rey
Pronunciation: [ r-AY ]
Does Rey flow with your last name?
Royal, fierce, and forever linked to the Force
Spanish
English
American
Strong
Modern
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Names Like Rey
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Meaning & Origin
"zero, spirit"
Origin: Japanese
Language: Japanese
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The Story of Rey
Rey is the Spanish word for king (from Latin rex), but as a given name it functions as either a gender-neutral or feminine name meaning royalty or queen. In Spanish-speaking cultures it has long been used as a surname and occasionally as a first name. The name surged globally after Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) introduced the character Rey as a powerful female protagonist.
Rey skyrocketed in popularity after 2015 when Daisy Ridley portrayed the Jedi Rey in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, making it one of the fastest-rising names of the decade.
In Spanish-speaking countries, Rey as a name often connects to Día de Reyes (Three Kings Day) celebrations. The Star Wars character Rey has made the name a symbol of female empowerment for a generation of fans.
Historical Record
Rey first appeared in US Social Security records in 2016.
Over 502 babies have been named Rey in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Rey is a new entry on the US charts , currently ranked #6,005 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The name Rey means king in Spanish and queen in Japanese (零)
- After Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Rey entered the US top 1000 girls names for the first time in 2016
Rey in Other Languages
Arabic
ري
French
Rei
Chinese
雷
Spanish
Rey
Japanese
レイ
Popularity Over Time
#6,005
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
New Entry
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #6,005
- Total SSA Count
- 20
- Cultural Origins
- Spanish English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Rey
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Rey is also used as a boy name, ranked #823.
View Rey as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Spanish)
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Old French origin
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Latin origin
"seventh month"
#5,946 in US
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Modern American origin
"inventive/blended origin with Japanes..."
#6,062 in US
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English/Hebrew origin
"pearl or bitter (Mae component)"
#6,153 in US
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Greek stephein origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rey
What does the name Rey mean?
"king, royalty" (from Latin). "zero, spirit" (from Japanese). Rey is the Spanish word for king (from Latin rex), but as a given name it functions as either a gender-neutral or feminine name meaning royalty or queen. In Spanish-speaking cultures it has long been used as a surname and occasionally as a first name. The name surged globally after Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) introduced the character Rey as a powerful female protagonist.
What is the origin of the name Rey?
Rey has Latin, Japanese, Spanish, English, and American origins. In Latin, it means "king, royalty". In Japanese, it means "zero, spirit".
Is Rey a boy or girl name?
Rey is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #6005. As a boy name, it is ranked #823. Rey is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Rey?
Rey is pronounced r-AY.
How popular is the name Rey?
Rey is currently ranked #6005 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Rey?
Popular middle name pairings include Rey Marie, Rey Grace, Rey Elaine, Rey Nicole, Rey Aurora, Rey Celeste, and Rey Louise.
What are good sibling names for Rey?
Names that pair well with Rey as siblings include Finn, Milo, Jax, Luna, Nova, and Wren.
How many syllables does Rey have?
Rey has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Rey a common or rare name?
Rey is an uncommon name, ranked #6005 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Rey?
About the Name Rey
Rey is a girl name with Spanish, English, and American origins . The name means "king, royalty" in Latin .
Is Rey a boy or girl name? Rey is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #6,005 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #823. Rey is more commonly used as a boy name.
Rey is currently ranked #6,005 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Rey has 1 syllable and is pronounced r-AY, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Rey include Reyna, Reya . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis