The surname Ray has several origins.

Origin of the surname

In some cases it originates from a

nickname A nickname, in some circumstances also known as a sobriquet, or informally a "moniker", is an informal substitute for the proper name of a person, place, or thing, used to express affection, playfulness, contempt, or a particular character trait ...

, derived from the

Old French Old French (, , ; ) was the language spoken in most of the northern half of France approximately between the late 8th -4; we might wonder whether there's a point at which it's appropriate to talk of the beginnings of French, that is, when it wa ...

''rei'', ''roy'', meaning "king", which was sometimes also used as a personal name. This nickname may have denoted a person's pride or swagger, someone's appearance,#C1, Cottle (1969) pp. 158, 235. or regal behavior or bearing,#R1, Reaney; Wilson (1995) p. 373; #H3, Hanks; Hodges (1991) p. 445; ''Ray Family History'' (n.d.). or may have referred to achievement in a contest, royal service, or may have denoted someone who presided over certain festive celebrations. Early examples of forms of this surname include: William Lerei, in 1195 (

Norfolk Norfolk ( ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in England, located in East Anglia and officially part of the East of England region. It borders Lincolnshire and The Wash to the north-west, the North Sea to the north and eas ...

); Robert Raie, in 1206 (

Cambridgeshire Cambridgeshire (abbreviated Cambs.) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in the East of England and East Anglia. It is bordered by Lincolnshire to the north, Norfolk to the north-east, Suffolk to the east, Essex and Hertfor ...

); and Thomas filius Rey, in 1296 (Cambridgeshire). Hanks; Coates; McClure (2016b) p. 2223. In other cases, the surname originates from a nickname derived from the northern

Middle English Middle English (abbreviated to ME) is a form of the English language that was spoken after the Norman Conquest of 1066, until the late 15th century. The English language underwent distinct variations and developments following the Old English pe ...

''rā'', ''rae'', ''ray'' (

Old English Old English ( or , or ), or Anglo-Saxon, is the earliest recorded form of the English language, spoken in England and southern and eastern Scotland in the Early Middle Ages. It developed from the languages brought to Great Britain by Anglo-S ...

''rā'', Old Norse ''rā''), meaning " roe deer", or the Middle English ''ray'' #H3, Hanks; Hodges (1991) p. 445; ''Ray Family History'' (n.d.). (Old English ''rœge''), meaning "female roe deer". This nickname may have denoted a timid person or a swift runner. In other cases, the surname is derived from the

Scottish Gaelic Scottish Gaelic (, ; Endonym and exonym, endonym: ), also known as Scots Gaelic or simply Gaelic, is a Celtic language native to the Gaels of Scotland. As a member of the Goidelic language, Goidelic branch of Celtic, Scottish Gaelic, alongs ...

''Mac Raith'', a surname derived from the Gaelic personal name ''Macraith'', "son of grace". Early examples of forms of this surname include: Alexander Macrad, in about 1225 (

Dumbartonshire Dunbartonshire () or the County of Dumbarton is a historic county, lieutenancy area and registration county in the west central Lowlands of Scotland lying to the north of the River Clyde. Dunbartonshire borders Perthshire to the north, Stirling ...

); Patric McRe, in 1376 (

Dumfriesshire Dumfriesshire or the County of Dumfries or Shire of Dumfries () is a Counties of Scotland, historic county and registration county in southern Scotland. The Dumfries lieutenancy areas of Scotland, lieutenancy area covers a similar area to the hi ...

); and Adam McCreich, in 1438. In other cases, the surname is a variant of ''

Rye Rye (''Secale cereale'') is a grass grown extensively as a grain, a cover crop and a forage crop. It is grown principally in an area from Eastern and Northern Europe into Russia. It is much more tolerant of cold weather and poor soil than o ...

''. In such cases, the surname may originate from two locative names: one is derived from a form of the Middle English ''atter ye'', "meaning at the island" (Old English ''œt thœre ige''), for someone who lived on an island or a patch of firm ground; the other is derived from a form of the Middle English ''atter eye'', meaning "at the river" (Old English ''œt thœre eœ'') for someone who lived near a river or stream. Early examples of forms of the surname ''Rye'' include: William de Rye, in 1240 (

Essex Essex ( ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in the East of England, and one of the home counties. It is bordered by Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, the North Sea to the east, Kent across the Thames Estuary to the ...

); Ralph de Rye, in 1248 (Essex); and Ralph de la Reye, in 1279 (

Oxfordshire Oxfordshire ( ; abbreviated ''Oxon'') is a ceremonial county in South East England. The county is bordered by Northamptonshire and Warwickshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the east, Berkshire to the south, and Wiltshire and Glouceste ...

). In other cases, the surname may be a variant of the surname '' Wray'', a variant of '' Wroe'', derived from the Middle English ''wroe'' (

Old Scandinavian Old Scandinavian may refer to: * Proto-Norse, a language spoken from the 3rd to the 7th century * Old Norse Old Norse, also referred to as Old Nordic or Old Scandinavian, was a stage of development of North Germanic languages, North Germa ...

''vrá''), meaning "nook, corner of land". Early examples of forms of the surname ''Wray'' include: Willelmus del Wra, in 1379 (

Lancashire Lancashire ( , ; abbreviated ''Lancs'') is a ceremonial county in North West England. It is bordered by Cumbria to the north, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire to the east, Greater Manchester and Merseyside to the south, and the Irish Sea to ...

); Ricardus del Wra, in 1377 (

West Yorkshire West Yorkshire is a Metropolitan counties of England, metropolitan and Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. It borders North Yorkshire to the north and east, South Yorkshire and De ...

); and Willelmus in the Wraa, in 1379 (West Yorkshire). In other cases, the surname is of

Ashkenazic Jewish Ashkenazi Jews ( ; also known as Ashkenazic Jews or Ashkenazim) form a distinct subgroup of the Jewish diaspora, that Ethnogenesis, emerged in the Holy Roman Empire around the end of the first millennium Common era, CE. They traditionally spe ...

origin. In other cases, the surname may have originated as locative name, derived from the Old French ''raier'', meaning "to gush, stream, or pour". ''Ray Family History'' (n.d.). In other cases, the surname is a variant of

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

n surname ''

Rai (), commercially styled as since 2000 and known until 1954 as (RAI), is the national public broadcasting company of Italy, owned by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. RAI operates many terrestrial and subscription television channels a ...

''. In some case, the surname ''Rai'' is derived from the

Sanskrit Sanskrit (; stem form ; nominal singular , ,) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in northwest South Asia after its predecessor languages had Trans-cultural ...

''raja'', meaning "king". In other cases, specifically in

Karnataka Karnataka ( ) is a States and union territories of India, state in the southwestern region of India. It was Unification of Karnataka, formed as Mysore State on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, States Re ...

, the origin of the surname is unknown. '' Rai Family History'' (n.d.).

People with this surname

* Adam E. Ray (1808–1865), American politician *

Adam Ray (comedian) Adam Ray (born June 16, 1982) is an American comedian, actor, and YouTuber. Since 2023, Ray has regularly performed stand-up and improv comedy under the persona of "Dr. Phil", a parody of "Dr. Phil" McGraw. Early life Ray was raised in Seatt ...

, American comedian and actor *

Adil Ray Adil Ray (, born 26 April 1974) is a British actor, comedian and radio/television presenter. Ray is best known as the creator, co-writer and star of the long-running BBC One scripted comedy series ''Citizen Khan'' (2012–2016)'','' and as a p ...

(born 1974), British radio and television presenter *

Aindrita Ray Aindrita Ray (born 19 April) is an Indian actress who primarily works in Cinema of Karnataka, Kannada also appeared in Bengali language, Bengali and Bollywood, Hindi films. Ray is a recipient of two South Indian International Movie Awards, alon ...

(born 1984), Indian film actress *

A. N. Ray Ajit Nath Ray (29 January 1912 – 25 December 2009) was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India from 25 April 1973 till his retirement on 28 January 1977. Ray was the lone dissenter among the eleven Supreme Court judges that examine ...

Ajit Nath Ray (1912–2010), Indian Bengali jurist *

Aldo Ray Aldo Ray (born Aldo Da Re; September 25, 1926 – March 27, 1991) was an American actor of film and television. He began his career as a contract player for Columbia Pictures before achieving stardom through his roles in '' The Marrying Kind, P ...

(1926–1991), American actor *

Allan Ray Allan Nathaniel Ray (born June 17, 1984) is an American sports agent and former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for four years at Villanova University. He played one season ( 2006–07) with the Boston Celtics of th ...

(born 1984), American professional basketball player *

Amy Ray Amy Elizabeth Ray (born April 12, 1964) is an American singer-songwriter and member of the contemporary folk duo Indigo Girls with Emily Saliers. She also pursues a solo career, releasing ten albums under her own name, and founded the independent ...

(born 1964), American singer-songwriter, member of the Indigo Girls *

Andrew Ray Andrew Ray (31 May 193920 August 2003) was an English actor who was best known as a child star. Biography He was born Andrew Olden (Ray was his father's stage name) in Southgate, Middlesex, the son of the radio comic Ted Ray and his wife, ...

(1939–2003), British actor * Anna Chapin Ray (1865–1945), American author *

Annada Shankar Ray Annada Shankar Ray (15 March 1904 – 28 October 2002) was an Indian poet and essayist in Bengali. He also wrote some Odia poetry. He wrote several Bengali poems criticising the Partition of India. Most notable is "''Teler shishi bhaanglo bole ...

(1904–2002), Indian Bengali poet and essayist * Benjamin Ray (1819–?), American politician *

Bharatchandra Ray Bharatchandra Ray Gunakor (; 1712–1760) was an 18th-century Bengali and Sanskrit Sakta court poet and song composer. He is mostly known for his poetic work, '' Annadamangal'' or ''Annapurnamangal''.Sen, Sukumar (1991, reprint 2007). ''Bangala ...

(1712–1760), Indian Bengali poet and composer * Bill Ray (disambiguation), several people :* Bill Ray (bishop) (born 1950), Anglican bishop of North Queensland in Australia :* Bill Ray (politician) (1922–2013), American businessman, politician, and writer :* Bill Ray (photojournalist) (1936–2020), photojournalist *

Billy Ray (screenwriter) Billy Ray (born 1962) is an American screenwriter and film director. He began writing for television and movies in 1994 with ''Color of Night.'' He has written numerous films including the first ''The Hunger Games (film), Hunger Games'' film (201 ...

, screenwriter, director, and producer * Blaine Ray, American creator of TPR Storytelling * Bob Ray, American filmmaker * Bobby Ray (actor) (1899–1957), American comedian and film director * Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Filipino professional basketball player * Bonnie Ray, American statistician and data scientist *

Brian Ray Brian Thomas Ray is an American musician best known as a guitarist, bassist and backing vocalist with Paul McCartney's Paul McCartney Band, touring band since 2002, and formerly as a musical director and guitarist for Etta James. Ray has perfo ...

(born 1955), American musician *

Charles Ray (Indiana judge) Charles Andrew Ray (September 3, 1829 – March 6, 1912) was an American lawyer, politician, and judge who served as a justice of the Indiana Supreme Court from January 3, 1865 to January 3, 1871.Minde C. Browning, Richard Humphrey, and Bruce Kl ...

Charles A. Ray (1829–1912), American judge * Charles W. Ray (1872–1959), American recipient of Medal of Honor * Charlotte B. Ray (c. 1813 – 25 October 1891), American prominent suffragist and abolitionist *

Chris Ray Christopher Thomas Ray (born January 12, 1982) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants, and Seattle Mariners. Early life and c ...

(born 1982), American baseball pitcher *

Clifford Ray Clifford Ray (born January 21, 1949) is an American former professional basketball coach and player. He played three of his ten seasons in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls from 1971 to 1974, and the other seven with the Golden State Warriors from ...

(born 1949), American basketball coach and former player *

Daniel Burrill Ray Daniel Burrill Ray (5 February 1928, Cleveland, Ohio – 19 February 1979) was an American mathematician. He is known for Ray-Singer torsion. Ray received his bachelor's degree summa cum laude in 1949 from Harvard College and his Ph.D. from Corne ...

(1928–1979), American mathematician *

Danny Ray (singer) Danny Ray (born 3 September 1951) is a Jamaican-born reggae singer and record producer who has been based in the United Kingdom since the late 1960s. He recorded for MCA Records and Trojan Records in the early 1970s and later set up his own Black ...

(born 1951), Jamaican-born reggae singer and record producer * Danny Ray (saxophonist) (born 1951), American saxophonist *

David Parker Ray David Parker Ray (November 6, 1939 – May 28, 2002), also known as the Toy-Box Killer, was an American kidnapper, torturer, serial rapist, and suspected serial killer. Ray kidnapped, raped, and tortured an unknown number of women over many deca ...

(1939–2002), American suspected serial killer (known as the "Toy-Box Killer") *

David Ray (poet) David Ray (May 20, 1932 – August 8, 2024) was an American poet and author of fiction, essays, and memoir. He was particularly noted for poems that, while being rooted in the personal, also show a strong social concern. Ray was the author of ...

(1932-), American poet * David R. Ray (1945–1969), United States Navy sailor *

Dave "Snaker" Ray Dave "Snaker" Ray (August 17, 1943 – November 28, 2002) was an American blues singer and guitarist from St. Paul, Minnesota, and was associated with Spider John Koerner and Tony "Little Sun" Glover in the early Sixties folk revival. Together, ...

(1943–2002), American blues singer and guitarist *

Dixy Lee Ray Dixy Lee Ray (September 3, 1914 – January 2, 1994) was an American academic, scientist, and politician who served as the 17th governor of Washington from 1977 to 1981. Variously described as idiosyncratic and "ridiculously smart," she was the s ...

(1914–1994), American scientist and politician, former Governor of Washington *

Dorothy Jean Ray Dorothy Jean Ray (October 10, 1919 – December 12, 2007) was an author and anthropologist best known for her study of Native Alaskan art and culture. In addition to a number of published books, she has had articles and papers published in '' Al ...

(1919–2007), American anthropologist *

Dwijendralal Ray Dwijendralal Ray (19 July 1863 – 17 May 1913), also known as D. L. Ray, was a Bengali poet, playwright, and musician. He was known for his Hindu mythological and nationalist historical plays and songs known as '' Dwijendrageeti'' or the ''Songs ...

(1863–1913), Indian Bengali poet, playwright, and musician * Dylan Ray (born 2001), American baseball player * Edgar Ray (1828–1905), founder of "Punch" magazines in Australia * Elise Ray (born 1982), American gymnast *

Elizabeth Ray Elizabeth Ray (born Betty Lou Ray on May 14, 1943, in Marshall, North Carolina) is an American former beauty queen who was the central figure in a much-publicized sex scandal in 1976 that ended the career of U.S. Rep. Wayne Hays (D-Ohio). ''The ...

(born 1943), American model and sex scandal figure * Elmer Ray (1911–1987), American heavyweight boxer *

Emmanuel Ray Emmanuel Ray, born Naveen Emmanuel - Rajaratnam, previously worked as a London-based presenter and human rights activist, known for his column, Diary of an It Boy. On August 10, 2009, he established a company named Socialite Evenings Limited. The ...

, Sri Lankan presenter and human rights activist * Frank Edward "Ed" Ray (1921–2012), American bus driver hero in 1976 Chowchilla kidnapping *

Fred Olen Ray Fred Olen Ray (born September 10, 1954) is an American film producer, director and screenwriter of more than 200 low- to medium-quality feature films in many genres, including Horror film, horror, science fiction, action film, action/adventure f ...

(born 1954), American director, producer, screenwriter, actor, and cinematographer *

Gabrielle Ray Gabrielle Ray (born Gabrielle Elizabeth Clifford Cook, 28 April 1883 – 21 May 1973) was an English stage actress, dancer and singer, best known for her roles in Edwardian musical comedies. Ray was considered one of the most beautiful actress ...

(1883–1973), British stage actress, dancer and singer * Ganendra Narayan Ray (born 1933), Indian Bengali jurist * Gene Ray, American, creator of website

Time Cube Time Cube was a pseudoscientific personal web page set up in 1997 by Otis Eugene "Gene" Ray. It was a self-published outlet for Ray's "theory of everything", also called "Time Cube", which claims that all modern sciences are participating in a ...

Gene Anthony Ray Gene Anthony Ray (May 24, 1962 – November 14, 2003) was an American actor, dancer, and choreographer. A native of New York City, Ray was best known for his portrayal of dancer Leroy Johnson in both the 1980 film '' Fame'' and the ''Fame'' ...

(1962–2003), American actor, dancer, and choreographer * George Augustus Ray (1819–1893), American politician * Gordon Norton Ray (1915–1986), American biographer and professor of English * Gourishankar Ray (1838–1917), Indian Odia language activist *

Greg Ray Gregory Ray (born August 3, 1966) is an American former race car driver. After winning the SCCA national Formula Atlantic championship in 1993, he moved up to the CART-sanctioned Toyota Atlantic series in 1994. In 1997 he made his Indy Ra ...

(born 1966), American IRL IndyCar Series driver * Herbert J. Ray (1893–1970), American admiral *

Isaac Ray Isaac Ray (January 16, 1807 – March 31, 1881) was an American psychiatrist, one of the founders of the discipline of forensic psychiatry. In 1838, he published ''A Treatise on the Medical Jurisprudence of Insanity,'' which served as an authori ...

(1807–1881), American psychiatrist * James Ray (disambiguation) several people, including: :*

James B. Ray James Brown Ray (February 19, 1794 – August 4, 1848) was an Indiana politician and the only Indiana Senate president pro tempore to be elevated to Governor of Indiana, governor of the U.S. state, state of Indiana. Ray served during a time whe ...

(1794–1848), American politician :*

James Earl Ray James Earl Ray (March 10, 1928 – April 23, 1998) was an American fugitive who was convicted of the murder of Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968. After the assassination, Ray fled to London and ...

(1928–1998), American convicted of assassinating Martin Luther King :* James Enos Ray Jr. (1874–1934), American politician :*

James Ray (rock musician) James Ray is a rock singer and band-leader, best known as a member of Andrew Eldritch's side-project The Sisterhood and for his own band James Ray's Gangwar. He was also a founding member of James Ray and The Performance, The MK Ultra, James Ra ...

, rock musician, member of The Sisterhood and James Ray's Gangwar :*

James Ray (singer) James Ray (born James Jay Raymond, 1941 – May 1963) was an American Rhythm and blues, R&B singer of the early 1960s best known for the hit single "If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody", which went to number 10 on the United States, US ''Billb ...

(1941–1964), African-American R&B singer * Jamini Bhushan Ray (1879–1926), Indian Bengali physician, Sanskritist, and philanthropist * Janisse Ray (born 1962), American writer, naturalist, and environmental activist * Jean Ray (1941–2007), American folk singer of

Jim and Jean Jim and Jean, composed of Jim Glover (born 1942) and Jean Ray (1941–2007)

duo *

Jean Ray (author) Jean Ray is the best-known pseudonym among the many used by Raymundus Joannes de Kremer (8 July 1887 – 17 September 1964), a prolific Belgian (Flemish) writer. Although he wrote journalism, stories for young readers in Dutch by the name John F ...

, Belgian writer *

Jeremy Ray Jeremy Ray is an Australian television presenter, video game reviewer and DJ. He is best known by his nickname "Junglist", and for co-creating and presenting ''Good Game (TV program), Good Game''. Early life Ray was born in Sydney, Australia ...

, Australian television presenter and video game reviewer *

Jimmy Ray James "Jimmy" Ray (born 3 October 1970) is an English singer, songwriter and musician. Career In press interviews and promotional materials, Ray cited his influence by the music of Elvis Presley and other rock and roll stars such as Buddy Holl ...

(born 1970), British pop-rock musician * Joe Ray, of

Nero (musicians) Nero (stylised as NERO) are a British electronic music trio composed of members Dan Stephens, Joe Ray and Alana Watson. On 12 August 2011, they released their debut studio album, ''Welcome Reality'', which reached number one in the UK Albums Ch ...

, British dubstep trio *

John Ray John Ray Fellow of the Royal Society, FRS (November 29, 1627 – January 17, 1705) was a Christian England, English Natural history, naturalist widely regarded as one of the earliest of the English parson-naturalists. Until 1670, he wrote his ...

(1627–1705), British naturalist * John H. Ray (1886–1975), American politician *

Johnnie Ray John Alvin Ray (January 10, 1927 – February 24, 1990) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Highly popular for most of the 1950s, Ray has been cited by critics as a major precursor to what became rock and roll, for his jazz and blu ...

(1927–1990), American singer, songwriter, and pianist * Johnny Ray (racing driver) (1937–2020), American NASCAR driver * Johnny Ray (second baseman) (born 1957), American baseball player *

Joie Ray (athlete) Joseph William "Joie" Ray (April 13, 1894 – May 13, 1978) was an American track and field athlete and member of the United States National Track and Field Hall of Fame. He held world records for the and distances. He represented the Unit ...

(Joseph W. Ray; 1894–1978), American middle-distance runner *

Joie Ray (racing driver) Joseph Reynolds "Joie" Ray Jr. (September 29, 1923 – April 13, 2007) was an American open-wheel and stock-car racer. Ray was born in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1947, Ray was the first African American licensed by the American Automobile Associat ...

(Joseph Reynolds Ray Jr.; 1923–2007), American race car driver *

Jonah Ray Jonah Ray Rodrigues (born August 3, 1982) is an American actor, comedian and writer from Los Angeles. He stars as Jonah Heston, one of the primary hosts of ''Mystery Science Theater 3000''. He is a former host of '' The Nerdist Podcast'' and was ...

(born 1982), American actor, comedian and writer * Joseph Ray (disambiguation), includes ** Joseph Warren Ray (1849–1928), American politician * Karen B. Ray, American politician *

Ken Ray Kenneth Alan Ray (born November 27, 1974) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played for the Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Royals. Ray made his MLB debut on July 10, , for the Royals. Early career After briefly pitching for ...

(born 1974), American baseball pitcher * LaBryan Ray (born 1997), American football player * Larry Ray (born 1959), American criminal convicted of sex trafficking, extortion, forced labor, and other offenses, sentenced to 60 years in prison * Lionel Ray (born 1935), French poet and essayist *

Lisa Ray Lisa Rani Ray (born 4 April 1972) is a Canadian actress. She began her modelling career in India in the early 1990s, appearing for leading Indian brands like Bombay Dyeing and Lakmé. She made her acting debut in 1994 in the film '' Hanste Khe ...

(born 1972), Canadian actress and former model *

Little Ray Little Ray also known as Ray Jimenez, is an American Chicano rock and brown-eyed soul musician, prominent in the 1960s. Jimenez was born and raised in Delano, California, and later moved to East Los Angeles. Jimenez briefly sang with Thee Midnit ...

, American musician *

Man Ray Man Ray (born Emmanuel Radnitzky; August 27, 1890 – November 18, 1976) was an American naturalized French visual artist who spent most of his career in Paris. He was a significant contributor to the Dada and Surrealism, Surrealist movements, ...

(1890–1976), American artist * Manju Ray, Indian Bengali biochemist and cancer researcher * Mary Ruth Ray (1956–2013), American classical violist *

Mike Ray Michael Charles Ray (August 27, 1936 – October 7, 2021) was a politician in Ontario, Canada. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as a Ontario Liberal Party, Liberal from 1987 to 1990. Background Ray graduated from the University ...

(1936–2021), Canadian politician *

Nicholas Ray Nicholas Ray (born Raymond Nicholas Kienzle Jr., August 7, 1911 – June 16, 1979) was an American film director, screenwriter, and actor. Described by the Harvard Film Archive as "Hollywood's last romantic" and "one of postwar American cinem ...

(1911–1979), American filmmaker *

Niharranjan Ray Niharranjan Ray (14 January 1903 – 30 August 1981) was an Indian Bengali historian, well known for his works on the history of art and Indian history. Early life and education He was born on 14 January 1903 at Kayetgram village of Mymensingh ...

(1903–1981), Indian Bengali historian * Norman W. Ray (born 1942), American admiral *

Ola Ray Ola Ray (born August 26, 1960) is an American actress and model most notable for her role as the girlfriend of Michael Jackson in the music video '' Thriller''. Career Ray modeled for ''Playboy'' and was the Playmate of the Month for the June ...

(born 1960), American model and actress *

Prafulla Chandra Ray Sir Prafulla Chandra Ray (also spelled Prafulla Chandra Roy; ''Prôphullô Côndrô Rāẏ''; 2 August 1861 – 16 June 1944) was an Indian chemist, educationist, historian, industrialist and philanthropist. He established the first moder ...

(1861–1944), Indian Bengali chemist, educator and entrepreneur *

Pratibha Ray Pratibha Ray (born 21 January 1944) is an Indian academic and writer of Odia language, Odia-language novels and stories. For her contribution to the Indian literature, Ray received the Jnanpith Award in 2011. She was awarded the Padma Bhushan ...

(born 1943), Indian Odia writer *

Rabi Ray Rabi Ray (26 November 1926 – 6 March 2017) was an Indian socialist politician, a Gandhian, a speaker of the Lok Sabha and a former Union minister. He hailed from Odisha. He joined the Socialist Party in 1948, and later became member of the Sa ...

(1926–2017), Indian Odia politician, former speaker of Lok Sabha *

Rachael Ray Rachael Domenica Ray (born August 25, 1968) is an American cook, television personality, businesswoman, and author. She hosted the syndicated daily talk and lifestyle program '' Rachael Ray''. Other programs to her credit include ''30 Minut ...

(born 1968), American television personality, celebrity chef and author *

Radhanath Ray Radhanath Ray (28 September 1848 – 17 April 1908) was an Odia writer of initial modernity era in Odia poetry during the later part of nineteenth century. He was born in a Zamindar Karan family in Baleshwar (Bengal Presidency), now in Odi ...

(1848–1908), Indian Odia poet * Raja Sitaram Ray (1658–1714), Indian rebel king who fought against the Mughal Empire *

Ray brothers Richard Duane "Ricky" Ray (January 28, 1977 – December 13, 1992), Robert David Ray (January 27, 1978 – October 20, 2000), and Randy Devone Ray (June 3, 1979 – May 18, 2023) were three hemophiliac brothers who were diagnosed with HIV in 1986 ...

, American, three hemophiliac brothers diagnosed with HIV in 1986 *

Reginald Ray Reginald Ray (born 1942) is an American Buddhist academic and teacher. Ray studied Tibetan Buddhism, traditional shamanic wisdom, and yogic-contemplative practices with the Tibetan refugee and recognized Vajrayana traditional-wisdom holder Chö ...

, American Buddhist academic and Vajra Master *

Renuka Ray Renuka Ray (4 January 1904 – 11 April 1997) was a noted freedom-fighter, social activist and politician of India. She was a descendant of Brahmo reformer, Nibaran Chandra Mukherjee, and daughter of Satish Chandra Mukherjee, an ICS officer ...

(1904–1997), Indian Bengali social activist *

Rex Ray Rex Ray (born Michael Patterson; September 11, 1956 – February 9, 2015) was an American graphic designer and collage artist, based in San Francisco. Early life and education Born as Michael Patterson on September 11, 1956, on a United States ...

, American fine artist and graphic designer * Richard Ray (1927–1999), American politician *

Richie Ray Ricardo "Richie" Ray (born February 15, 1945) is a Nuyorican (a New York-born Puerto Rican) virtuoso pianist, singer, music arranger, composer and religious minister known for his success beginning in 1965 as part of the duo Richie Ray & Bobby ...

(born 1945), American musician and minister of duo Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz *

Ricky Ray Ricky Ray (born October 22, 1979) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback. Ray spent the majority of his professional career with the Edmonton Eskimos and Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL) ...

(born 1979), Canadian and American football quarterback *

Rob Ray Robert John Ray (born June 8, 1968) is a Canadian sports broadcaster and former professional ice hockey player for the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators. He was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy by the National Hockey League in 1999 f ...

(born 1968), Canadian sports broadcaster and former ice hockey player * Robbie Ray (born 1991), American baseball pitcher * Robbie Ray (racing driver), American racing driver * Robert Ray (disambiguation), several people * Robert D. Ray (1928–2018), Governor of Iowa 1969 to 1983 :* Robert D. Ray (1978–2000), one of the

(above) :* Robert R. Ray, Reconstruction era sheriff and state legislator in Feliciana, Louisiana :* Robert Ray (artist) (1924–2002), American artist :*

Robert Ray (Australian politician) Robert Francis Ray (born 8 April 1947) is an Australian former politician who was a Labor Party senator from 1981 to 2008, representing the state of Victoria. Biography Early life Ray was born in Melbourne, Victoria, and educated at Monash U ...

(born 1947), Labor Party Senator for Victoria :*

Robert Ray (prosecutor) Robert William Ray (born April 4, 1960) is an American lawyer. As the successor to Ken Starr as the head of the Office of the Independent Counsel (1999 to 2002) he investigated and issued the final reports on the Whitewater controversy, the Wh ...

(born 1960), final Whitewater Special Counsel :* Robert Ray (baseball) (born 1984), baseball pitcher *

Robin Ray Robin Ray (17 September 1934 – 29 November 1998) was an English broadcaster on radio and television, actor of stage and screen, and musician. The eldest son of the comedian Ted Ray, he was educated at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and was ...

(1934–1998), British actor, musician and broadcaster * Ronnie Ray (born 1954), American track and field athlete * Ruth Ray (1919–1977), American artist *

Sandip Ray Sandip Ray (born 8 September 1953) is an Indian film director and music director who mainly works in Cinema of West Bengal, Bengali cinema. He is the only child of the famous Indian director Satyajit Ray and Bijoya Ray. Life and education San ...

(born 1953), Indian Bengali filmmaker *

Satyajit Ray Satyajit Ray (; 2 May 1921 – 23 April 1992) was an Indian film director, screenwriter, author, lyricist, magazine editor, illustrator, calligraphy, calligrapher, and composer. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest and most influ ...

(1921–1992), Indian Bengali filmmaker *

Scottie Ray Scott Rayow, often credited as Scottie Ray, is an American voice actor who has worked for NYAV Post, DuArt Film and Video, 4Kids Entertainment and Central Park Media. He is best known for voicing The Shredder The Shredder is a supervillain a ...

(born 1964), American voice actor *

Shannon Ray Shannon Ray (born December 31, 1995) is an American sprint (running), sprinter specializing in the 100 metres and 200 metres. She was a member of the Athletics at the 2023 Pan American Games – Women's 4 × 100 metres relay, U.S. 4 × 100 m rel ...

(born 1995), American sprinter *

Shawn Ray Shawn I. Ray (born September 9, 1965) is a former professional bodybuilder and author. Bodybuilding career Ray is referenced in ''The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding'' by Bill Dobbins and Arnold Schwarzenegger. He authored a book title ...

(born 1965) American author and former professional bodybuilder *

Sibnarayan Ray Sibnarayan Ray (1921–2008) was an Indian thinker, educationist, philosopher and literary critic who wrote in the Bengali language. A radical humanist, he is widely reputed for his works on Marxist-revolutionary Manabendra Nath Roy, and famo ...

(1921–2008), Indian Bengali educationist, philosopher and literary critic *

Siddhartha Shankar Ray Siddhartha Shankar Ray (20 October 1920 – 6 November 2010) was an Indian lawyer, diplomat and Indian National Congress politician from West Bengal. In his political career he held a number of offices, including Chief Minister of West Bengal ( ...

(1920–2010), chief minister of West Bengal and governor of Punjab *

Siddharth Ray Siddharth Ray (born Sushant Ray; 19 July 1963 — 8 March 2004) was an actor in Hindi and Marathi films. He also appeared in a few south Indian films. He was the grandson of filmmaker V. Shantaram and maternal cousin of Durga Jasraj. Early li ...

(1963–2004), Indian Marathi actor *

Sidney Herbert Ray Sidney Herbert Ray (28 May 1858 – 1 January 1939) was a British comparative and descriptive linguist who specialised in Melanesian languages.Papers and field notes relating to his linguistic work are held bSOAS Special Collections/ref> Bio ...

(1858–1939), American linguist *

Stevie Ray Laslon "Lash" Steven Huffman (born August 22, 1958) is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Stevie Ray. Stevie Ray is best known for his seven-year tenure with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) from 199 ...

(born 1958), American wrestler *

Sukumar Ray Sukumar Ray (; 30 October 1887 – 10 September 1923) was a Bengali writer and poet from British India. He is remembered mainly for his writings for children. He was the son of children's story writer Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury and the fat ...

(1887–1923), Indian Bengali nonsense poet, story writer and playwright *

Tanika Ray Tanika Ray is an American entertainment reporter. She was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Los Angeles, California. Tanika Ray is a pop culture & lifestyle specialist with a holistic view of the cross-sections of culture. Career Ray began ...

, American television personality *

Ted Ray (comedian) Ted Ray (born Charles Olden; 21 November 1905 – 8 November 1977) was an English comedian of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, on radio and television. His BBC radio show ''Ray's a Laugh'' ran for 12 years. Biography Ray was born Charles Olden i ...

(1905–1977), British comedian *

Ted Ray (golfer) Edward Rivers John Ray (6 April 1877 – 26 August 1943) was a British professional golfer, one of the leading players of the first quarter of the 20th century. He won two major championships, the Open Championship in 1912 and the U.S. Open in ...

(1877–1943), British professional golfer * Thomas S. Ray, American ecologist who created the Tierra project *

Upendrakishore Ray Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury (12 May 1863 – 20 December 1915) was a Bengali writer, painter and entrepreneur. One of the books he wrote is ''Chotoder Shera Bigyan Rochona Shongkolon''. He was the son-in-law of reformer Dwarkanath Ganguly. He ...

(1863–1915), Indian Bengali writer, painter, violinist and composer * William Ray (disambiguation) several people, including :* Sir

William Ray (British politician) Sir William Ray (7 February 1876 – 30 September 1937) was a Conservative politician in the United Kingdom. He was knighted in 1929. Ray was elected member of parliament (MP) for Richmond Richmond most often refers to: * Richmond, British ...

, Leader of London County Council, MP for Richmond :* William Ray (medicine) (1884–1953), academic in Adelaide, South Australia :*

William H. Ray William Henry Ray (December 14, 1812 – January 25, 1881) was an American politician. He served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Illinois. Biography Born on December 14, 1812, in Amenia (town), New York, Am ...

(1812–1881), United States Representative from Illinois :*

William Hallett Ray William Hallett Ray (May 25, 1825 – May 7, 1909) was a Canadian politician, farmer, and merchant. Born in Clementsport, Annapolis Valley, where he worked as a farmer and a merchant, Ray was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly fo ...

(1825–1909), Canadian politician, farmer, and merchant :* William M. Ray (born 1963), American judge * Wyatt Ray (born 1996), American football player

Fictional characters

Amuro Ray is a fictional character introduced in Sunrise (studio), Sunrise's 1979 anime series ''Mobile Suit Gundam''. As the first protagonist in the franchise, Amuro is a mechanic who becomes the pilot of the mecha known as RX-78-2 Gundam to protect h ...

* Charles Lee Ray, known as

Chucky (Child's Play) Chucky, originally known as Charles Lee Ray, is the main antagonist of the '' Child's Play'' horror franchise. Chucky is initially portrayed as a vicious serial killer who bleeds out from a gunshot wound and becomes Chucky through a soul tr ...

* Marcus Ray, main character in the 1998 movie

Knock Off (film) ''Knock Off'' is a 1998 action film directed by Tsui Hark and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and Rob Schneider (in his first dramatic role). The film was released in the United States on September 4, 1998. The title is a double entendre, as ...

* Max Ray, main character in the 1986 animated series

Centurions (TV series) ''Centurions'' is an American science fiction animated television series produced by Ruby-Spears and was animated in Japan by Nippon Sunrise's Studio 7. The series began in 1986 as a five-part mini-series and was followed with a 60-episode seri ...

Citations

References

* * * * * * * * * {{Authority control English-language surnames Surnames of Indian origin Bengali Hindu surnames

Origin of the surname

People with this surname

Fictional characters

See also

Citations

References