Alex vs Raya
Alex and Rayacompared on official birth-registration statistics and Namewise's recorded data. This page states what each name's record shows — it never picks a winner or scores one name against the other.
Head to head
Ranks are only compared within one published list and one year. Two ranks from different years, from a boys' and a girls' list, or from different registrars are not comparable, so they are not placed side by side.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2024, Alex was ranked #2253 and Raya #82 among girls in England and Wales.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2023, Alex was ranked #391 and Raya #95 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2025, Alex was ranked #304 and Raya #99 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Boys
In 2020, Alex was ranked #108 and Raya #4608 among boys in England and Wales.
Alex and Raya over time
Alex and Raya appear together in 3 published lists, across 48 years of shared records. Alex held the stronger position in more years in 3 of them, Raya in 0.
The order between them changed and held in 3 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Alex reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 3 of those lists, and Raya in none. Each position is a place inside its own list, so this compares when they peaked and never how high.
Counted list by list. Two names in the same published list are measured on the same scale in the same year, so those comparisons are real — but positions from different lists are not, so nothing here is combined into an overall standing.
List by list
England and Wales · Girls29 shared years, 1996–2024
Alex held the stronger position in 16 of those years, Raya in 13.
Highest recorded here: Alex #161 in 1996, Raya #82 in 2024.
The order changed in 2012: Raya moved ahead. In 2011 they stood at #652 and #744; by 2012 that had become #916 and #701.
Most recent shared year, 2024: Alex #2253, Raya #82.
Republic of Ireland · Girls11 shared years, 2010–2025
Alex held the stronger position in 7 of those years, Raya in 4.
Highest recorded here: Alex #164 in 2010, Raya #99 in 2025.
The order changed in 2022: Raya moved ahead. In 2021 they stood at #198 and #299; by 2022 that had become #284 and #222.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Alex #304, Raya #99.
Northern Ireland · Girls8 shared years, 2014–2023
Alex held the stronger position in 4 of those years, Raya in 3.
Highest recorded here: Alex #195 in 2015, Raya #95 in 2023.
The order changed in 2019: Raya moved ahead. In 2018 they stood at #238 and #313; by 2019 that had become #263 and #263.
Most recent shared year, 2023: Alex #391, Raya #95.
Two names moving past each other in a ranking is a fact about the ranking. Namewise does not claim one name displaced the other, that families chose between them, or that either influenced the other — none of that is in this data.
Side by side
| Field | Alex | Raya |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | male | female |
| Meaning | A short form of Alexander, Alexandra and other names beginning with 'Alex' — from Greek elements meaning 'defender' and 'man/people'. | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Greek, short form | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | /ˈæl.ɪks/ | Not yet recorded |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE, NO, NZ | GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Boys #37 (2025) | Republic of Ireland · Girls #99 (2025) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 95/100 | 95/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Alex has a recorded origin (Greek, short form); Raya does not have one recorded yet.
- Alex has 2 syllables, compared with 1 for Raya.
- A meaning is recorded for Alex; Raya doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE.
How each name got here
Alex
Popularity journey
First recorded1954
First recorded at #346 among boys in Norway in 1954 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Boys
Highest recorded1972–2025
Highest recorded position: #8 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 2009 (recorded 1972–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #259 among boys in Norway, in 2025.
Norway · Boys
Raya
Popularity journey
First recorded1996
First recorded at #2350 among girls in England and Wales in 1996 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
England and Wales · Girls
Highest recorded2014–2024
Highest recorded position: #70 among girls in Northern Ireland, in 2024 (recorded 2014–2024).
Northern Ireland · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #99 among girls in Republic of Ireland, in 2025.
Republic of Ireland · Girls