Murray
Scottish surname derived from the place name Moray in northeastern Scotland, from Medieval Latin Moravia, Morauia, from Scottish Gaelic Moireibh, Moireabh, Moreb…
Every Murray since 1880 — 22,299 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Murray
Murray is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #2,633 in 2025 with 50 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 22,299 American babies have been named Murray. Its peak came in 1922, when 635 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Murray stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Murray year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | #11,607 | 50 | #2,633 |
| 2024 | 12 | #8,789 | 48 | #2,735 |
| 2023 | 13 | #8,354 | 62 | #2,286 |
| 2022 | 8 | #11,907 | 47 | #2,781 |
| 2021 | 10 | #10,089 | 41 | #3,007 |
| 2020 | 7 | #13,060 | 47 | #2,683 |
| 2019 | 7 | #13,371 | 52 | #2,543 |
| 2018 | 6 | #15,081 | 44 | #2,781 |
| 2017 | 5 | #17,635 | 52 | #2,475 |
| 2016 | 6 | #15,642 | 43 | #2,819 |
| 2015 | — | — | 44 | #2,753 |
| 2014 | — | — | 40 | #2,917 |
| 2013 | — | — | 26 | #3,932 |
| 2012 | 5 | #18,709 | 42 | #2,854 |
| 2011 | — | — | 31 | #3,491 |
| 2010 | — | — | 30 | #3,603 |
| 2009 | — | — | 23 | #4,385 |
| 2008 | — | — | 26 | #4,001 |
| 2007 | — | — | 18 | #5,147 |
| 2006 | — | — | 19 | #4,804 |
| 2005 | — | — | 33 | #3,147 |
| 2004 | — | — | 15 | #5,411 |
| 2003 | — | — | 21 | #4,066 |
| 2002 | — | — | 18 | #4,439 |
| 2001 | — | — | 32 | #2,907 |
| 2000 | — | — | 25 | #3,387 |
| 1995 | — | — | 25 | #2,898 |
| 1990 | 5 | #14,468 | 37 | #2,037 |
| 1985 | — | — | 31 | #1,903 |
| 1980 | — | — | 61 | #1,172 |
| 1975 | — | — | 68 | #998 |
| 1970 | — | — | 109 | #790 |
| 1965 | — | — | 136 | #643 |
| 1960 | 7 | #5,535 | 217 | #540 |
| 1955 | — | — | 281 | #442 |
| 1950 | — | — | 233 | #438 |
| 1945 | — | — | 189 | #433 |
| 1940 | 5 | #4,845 | 259 | #353 |
| 1935 | — | — | 255 | #345 |
| 1930 | 7 | #3,935 | 412 | #279 |
| 1925 | 9 | #3,579 | 587 | #226 |
| 1920 | 6 | #4,800 | 524 | #239 |
| 1915 | — | — | 361 | #250 |
| 1910 | 6 | #2,325 | 89 | #260 |
| 1905 | — | — | 60 | #252 |
| 1900 | — | — | 49 | #299 |
| 1895 | — | — | 39 | #286 |
| 1890 | — | — | 32 | #308 |
| 1885 | — | — | 21 | #391 |
| 1880 | — | — | 17 | #438 |
Famous people named Murray
- Murray Gell-Mann Physicist · 1929–2019
- Murray Rothbard Economist · 1926–1995
- Murray Bookchin Philosopher · 1921–2006
- Murray Perahia Musician · b. 1947
- Murray Hamilton Actor · 1923–1986
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Murray mean?
Scottish surname derived from the place name Moray in northeastern Scotland, from Medieval Latin Moravia, Morauia, from Scottish Gaelic Moireibh, Moireabh, Moreb, ultimately from Proto-Celtic *mori (“sea”) + *trebā (“settlement”).
How popular is the name Murray in 2025?
Murray ranked #2,633 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 50 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Murray?
22,299 babies have been named Murray in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Murray most popular?
Murray peaked in 1922, when 635 newborns received the name.
Is Murray a boy or girl name?
Murray is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 98% of babies with the name.
Is the name Murray rising or falling?
Murray is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Murray?
Well-known people named Murray include Murray Gell-Mann (physicist), Murray Rothbard (economist), Murray Bookchin (philosopher).