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Raya vs Maryam

Which is more popular?
Maryam is more popular than Raya today: about 869 US babies were given the name Maryam in 2025, compared with 831 named Raya.
RayaMaryam
Meaning Fragrance; or banner Arabic form of Mary / Miriam
Origin arabic arabic
Gender Girl Girl
Pronunciation RAH-yah MAR-yam
Syllables 2 2
First appeared19581946
Peak year2023 (867)2025 (869)
In 2025831869
TrendNear its peakNear its peak
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Raya Maryam
1960198020002020

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Births by decade

DecadeRayaMaryam
2020s 4,256 4,304
2010s 2,087 4,932
2000s 1,052 2,455
1990s 385 1,191
1980s 138 600
1970s 64 284
1960s 16 66
1950s 5 0
1940s 0 13

What does Raya mean?

As an Arabic name Raya has two attested sources: rayya (ريا) 'aroma, fragrance, perfume', and raya (راية) 'flag, banner, ensign'; the intended sense varies by family, so it is best treated as disputed. Disambiguation: Raya also means 'celebration' in Malay (Hari Raya) and appears in Hebrew ('friend') and Slavic use - unrelated origins.

What does Maryam mean?

Maryam (مريم) is the Arabic form of the biblical Mary/Miriam, borne by Maryam, mother of the prophet 'Isa (Jesus), who is highly honoured in Islam and has a Quranic chapter (Surah Maryam) named for her. The name is ultimately pre-Arabic, from Hebrew Miryam, and its original meaning is debated among scholars (proposed senses include 'beloved', 'bitter', and an Egyptian root meaning 'beloved'). Mariam is a common alternate transliteration.

Frequently asked questions

Is Raya or Maryam more popular?

Maryam is more popular than Raya today: about 869 US babies were given the name Maryam in 2025, compared with 831 named Raya.

What is the difference between Raya and Maryam?

Raya means Fragrance; or banner (arabic origin), while Maryam means Arabic form of Mary / Miriam (arabic origin).

Which name is older, Raya or Maryam?

In US records, Raya first appears in 1958 and Maryam in 1946, so Maryam has the longer recorded history.