Darren vs Ray

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Darren

Boy #955 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"oak grove, great"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

Irish English American Welsh

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#955
Total SSA Count
238
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Dar, Daz

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Darren →

Popularity Comparison

Darren Rank #955
Ray Rank #777

Ray is more popular, ranked #777 vs #955 for Darren.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Darren ___

  • Darren James
  • Darren Michael
  • Darren Patrick
  • Darren Thomas
  • Darren Lee
  • Darren Scott

Ray ___

  • Ray Charles
  • Ray William
  • Ray Allen
  • Ray James
  • Ray Thomas
  • Ray Edward

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Darren

Kevin Karen Deirdre Shane Brendan

If you choose Ray

June Mae Jack Leo Pearl

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Darren or Ray more popular?

Ray is more popular, ranked #777 compared to Darren at #955 in the United States.

What do Darren and Ray mean?

Darren means "oak grove, great" (Irish Gaelic origin). Ray means "wise protector" (Germanic origin).

Are Darren and Ray boy or girl names?

Darren is primarily a boy name. Ray is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Darren ← Full profile: Ray Browse all baby names