Esme vs Raya

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Esme

Girl #344 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"beloved, esteemed"

Origin: French

Cultural Roots

English French Scottish Persian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#344
Total SSA Count
901
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Ez

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Esme →

Raya

Girl #363 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"friend, companion"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Hebrew Arabic Slavic English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#363
Total SSA Count
859
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Ray

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Raya →

Popularity Comparison

Esme Rank #344
Raya Rank #363

Esme is more popular, ranked #344 vs #363 for Raya.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Esme ___

  • Esme Rose
  • Esme Pearl
  • Esme Violet
  • Esme Gray
  • Esme Wren
  • Esme June

Raya ___

  • Raya Luna
  • Raya Marie
  • Raya Grace
  • Raya Jade
  • Raya Skye
  • Raya Belle

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Esme

Soren Jasper Ottilie Wren Felix

If you choose Raya

Zara Kai Mila Leo Aria

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 Esme or Raya more popular?

Esme is more popular, ranked #344 compared to Raya at #363 in the United States.

What do Esme and Raya mean?

Esme means "beloved, esteemed" (French origin). Raya means "friend, companion" (Hebrew origin).

Are Esme and Raya boy or girl names?

Esme is primarily a girl name. Raya is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: Esme ← Full profile: Raya Browse all baby names