Have you ever seen Ray as a girl's name?

Question

My husband and I were talking baby names and if we have a girl, we want to name her Isabella (a name that runs in my family). However his grandfather's name was Raymond and since he's passed away, we'd like to honour him. So, we were thinking of Isabella Ray.

Is Ray too stereotypically male? Ray could mean like a ray of sunshine as well so it's got a couple meanings. Neither of us like Isabella Racheal/Rachel, nor do we want to spell it Rae. What do you think of Isabella Ray?

Answer 1

Isabella Ray is beautiful.

you don't need to change the spelling to Rae.

my daughter's name is Jorden Renay (not Renee/Renae).

it's ok to have whatever spelling you want. i hope you go with Isabella Ray. don't change what you want just to please others.

good luck.

Answer 2

Literally millions of times -- pretty much on every list of stereotypical "filler" middle names any random person might list (not that YOU would be using it as a filler ... just to say it's very common).

I actually have an Aunt Ray, as well. Full name Raylene, after a Raymond (also a family name for us). She's always disliked having such a "masculine" name, so knowing that, it's generally not my style, but certainly not an odd choice.

Raimonda is the actual feminine Italian form of Raymond, by the way. So very fitting with Isabella. :)

Answer 3

Well my middle name is Rae. I prefer the spelling Rae over Ray because I think it is more feminine. Growing up I used to hate my middle name and was embarassed to tell anyone what it was because it is a boy's name, but now I sorta like it. It's also better that it is not spelled the way a boy would spell it (Ray) so you might want to take that into consideration.

Answer 4

Yes I have heard of a girl Ray. Her real name was Raylynn but everyone called her Ray. I also like the name Isabella Ray, but that is so much more common.

:-)
Tink

Answer 5

Yes, but it was spelled Rae. I have never met a woman named Ray, but I think you should name your child what you like.

Answer 6

My friend's sister Rayanne gets Ray a lot. I think Isabella Ray is a great name.

Answer 7

My daughter's middle name is Rae after my Grandfatther, Raymond, who also passed away. We spelled it Rae for it to be the feminin spelling, but I love it either way. I get alot of compliments on her middle name! I think it is a wonderful way to honor someone you love. I am so glad we went with it.

Answer 8

I like it! It's great that you're honoring his grandfather, and I think Ray goes fine with a name as girly as Isabella! It's beautiful. =)

Answer 9

It's fine. Actually I like it better than the Rae spelling and it represents a real person. At any rate, boys names for girls seem to be the rule rather than the exception these days. Go for it.

Answer 10

I love it, it's unique and very nice. It's very nice of you to honor your husbands grandfather like this. I think people would only think it was boyish if it were a girl's first name spelled Ray.

Answer 11

My daughters name is Kami Rae, we actually named her after a friend of ours. Our friend Kami Rae was named after her grandfather (Ray) but they chose the feminine version for her. I think it is fine to name her Isabella Ray, especially since it is honor of her great grandfather. When she is older she can say she was literally named after him. I say go for it, it's cute and a great way to honor the memory of a loved one.