Joy vs Raya

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Joy

Girl #442 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"happiness, delight, rejoicing"

Origin: Old French (joie) via Latin (gaudia)

Cultural Roots

English American Christian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#442
Total SSA Count
702
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Joy →

Popularity Comparison

Joy Rank #442
Raya Rank #363

Raya is more popular, ranked #363 vs #442 for Joy.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Joy ___

  • Joy Anne
  • Joy Marie
  • Joy Elizabeth
  • Joy Louise
  • Joy Grace
  • Joy Elise

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 Joy

Hope Grace Faith Blythe Henry

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 Joy or Raya more popular?

Raya is more popular, ranked #363 compared to Joy at #442 in the United States.

What do Joy and Raya mean?

Joy means "happiness, delight, rejoicing" (Old French (joie) via Latin (gaudia) origin). Raya means "friend, companion" (Hebrew origin).

Are Joy and Raya boy or girl names?

Joy is primarily a girl name. Raya is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

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