Pierce vs Ray

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Pierce

Boy #541 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"rock, stone"

Origin: Greek via Latin

Cultural Roots

English American Welsh

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#541
Total SSA Count
553
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Pie, Pier, Piery

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
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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

Pierce Rank #541
Ray Rank #777

Pierce is more popular, ranked #541 vs #777 for Ray.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Pierce ___

  • Pierce James
  • Pierce William
  • Pierce Edward
  • Pierce Henry
  • Pierce Anthony
  • Pierce Thomas

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 Pierce

Nora Claire Grant Vivian Reid

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 Pierce or Ray more popular?

Pierce is more popular, ranked #541 compared to Ray at #777 in the United States.

What do Pierce and Ray mean?

Pierce means "rock, stone" (Greek via Latin origin). Ray means "wise protector" (Germanic origin).

Are Pierce and Ray boy or girl names?

Pierce is primarily a boy name. Ray is primarily a boy name.

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