Ray vs Santana

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

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 →

Santana

Boy #812 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"holy, sacred place"

Origin: Spanish

Cultural Roots

Spanish Latin American American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#812
Total SSA Count
309
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Sant, Santi

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Santana →

Popularity Comparison

Ray Rank #777
Santana Rank #812

Ray is more popular, ranked #777 vs #812 for Santana.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Ray ___

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

Santana ___

  • Santana James
  • Santana Lee
  • Santana Miguel
  • Santana Cruz
  • Santana Ray
  • Santana Michael

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Ray

June Mae Jack Leo Pearl

If you choose Santana

Valentina Diego Elena Marco Sofia

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 Ray or Santana more popular?

Ray is more popular, ranked #777 compared to Santana at #812 in the United States.

What do Ray and Santana mean?

Ray means "wise protector" (Germanic origin). Santana means "holy, sacred place" (Spanish origin).

Are Ray and Santana boy or girl names?

Ray is primarily a boy name. Santana is primarily a boy name.

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