Lay
Boy name · English · Scandinavian
- US rank
- Unranked
- Syllables
- 1
- Peak
- #3,728 in 1918
0 babies were named Lay in the US in 2025.
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US births per million boys, 1918–2025
Similar names
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
Did you know?
A few things about Lay you might not know, from US birth records. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
- HistoryLay first shows up in US birth records in 1918, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 107 years since.
- Best yearIts best year was 1918, when it reached #3,728.
About the name Lay
Lay is a boy name of English and Scandinavian origin. It has 3 letters and 1 syllable, starting with L and ending in “-lay”. US birth records list Lay for boys from 1918 to 2016, in 5 of those 99 years. Its best year was 1918, when it ranked #3,728 among boy names. It hasn't been given to 5 or more US babies in a year since 2016, so today it's a genuinely rare choice.
Origin:English namesScandinavian names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 3.0 | 338,983 boys |
| 1920s | 0.9 | 1,098,901 boys |
| 2010s | 0.9 | 1,111,111 boys |
More English boy names
- Boy name: Oliver · olive tree
- Boy name: Henry · ruler of the home
- Unisex name: James · supplanter
- Boy name: William · resolute protector
- Boy name: Benjamin · son of the right hand
- Boy name: Jack · God is gracious
- Unisex name: Hudson · son of Hudde
- Unisex name: Julian · of the Julius family
Questions about the name Lay
What is the origin of the name Lay?
Lay has English, Scandinavian roots in our records. Other English names include Oliver, Henry, James.
Is Lay a boy or girl name?
Lay is a boy name.
How popular is the name Lay?
Lay is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2016. It peaked at #3,728 in 1918.