Eugene vs Ray

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Eugene

Boy #871 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"well-born, of noble birth"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

English French Russian American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#871
Total SSA Count
276
Syllables
3
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Gene

Playground Safety Score

15 High Risk

{:type=>:rhyme, :severity=>:medium, :message=>"'Eugene' rhymes with 'mean'"}

Full profile for Eugene →

Ray

Boy #777 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"wise protector"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

English American French

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#777
Total SSA Count
322
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Ray →

Popularity Comparison

Eugene Rank #871
Ray Rank #777

Ray is more popular, ranked #777 vs #871 for Eugene.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Eugene ___

  • Eugene Arthur
  • Eugene Clifford
  • Eugene Walter
  • Eugene Raymond
  • Eugene Herbert
  • Eugene Chester

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 Eugene

Walter Raymond Beatrice Dorothy Mildred

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 Eugene or Ray more popular?

Ray is more popular, ranked #777 compared to Eugene at #871 in the United States.

What do Eugene and Ray mean?

Eugene means "well-born, of noble birth" (Greek origin). Ray means "wise protector" (Germanic origin).

Are Eugene and Ray boy or girl names?

Eugene is primarily a boy name. Ray is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

Ray vs Eugene Eugene vs Quincy Eugene vs Evren Eugene vs Alexande Eugene vs Briar
← Full profile: Eugene ← Full profile: Ray Browse all baby names