Murray
Murray is a boys' name of English origin meaning “lord of the sea, settlement by the sea.” Murray derives from the Scottish region Moray, from the Celtic 'mori' (sea).
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how do you pronounce Murray?
MUR-ee
where does the name Murray come from?
From the Scottish surname taken from Moray in northeastern Scotland, from Moravia, combining words for sea and settlement.
It has a warm, unpretentious Scottish character that projects steadiness and reliability. Bill Murray made the name feel irreverently cool. It is one of those classic names that feels due for a fresh look among modern parents.
how popular is this name?
Murray has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 95 years since 1880, and fell outside it for 1. It peaked at #206 in 1922, and ranked #994 in 1975.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 1975 | #994 |
| 1973 | #971 |
| 1972 | #993 |
| 1971 | #828 |
| 1970 | #788 |
| 1969 | #727 |
| 1968 | #771 |
| 1967 | #680 |
| 1966 | #626 |
| 1960 | #538 |
| 1950 | #437 |
| 1940 | #353 |
| 1930 | #279 |
| 1922 | #206 |
| 1920 | #239 |
| 1910 | #256 |
| 1900 | #297 |
| 1890 | #302 |
| 1880 | #425 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Murray fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Murray
Murray is a masculine given name taken from the Scottish and Irish surname.
who are famous people named Murray?
- Bill Murray (American actor and comedian)
- Murray Gell-Mann (American physicist, Nobel Prize laureate)
what names are similar to Murray?
what names go well with Murray?
Sibling names that share Murray's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Murray
What does the name Murray mean?
Murray means “lord of the sea, settlement by the sea”.
What is the origin of the name Murray?
Murray comes from the English naming tradition.
How popular is the name Murray?
Murray ranked #994 in the US in 1975, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1922, at #206, and it has spent 95 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Murray a boy or girl name?
Murray is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Murray?
Murray is pronounced MUR-ee, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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