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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Roe deer clearing
- Origin
- Old English (place name/surname)
- Gender
- Neutral
- Pronunciation
- RAW-lee
Raleigh is pronounced RAW-lee and traces back to Old English, where it started as a place name and surname. It's often glossed as simply 'meadow' or 'clearing,' but that shorthand drops a detail: the fuller derivation is 'roe deer clearing.' It's a name for any gender.
Meaning & Origin of Raleigh
Meaning: Roe deer clearing.
Origin: Old English (place name/surname).
A common claim: Commonly glossed as simply 'meadow' or 'clearing' Actually: That drops the 'roe deer' element; the fuller Old English derivation is specifically 'roe deer clearing', not just any meadow.
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Raleigh
RAW-leeIPA /ˈrɔːli/
Popularity of Raleigh
Raleigh's peak was back in 1891, when it ranked #357 with 24 babies given the name; by 2024 it had slipped to #1916, even though 104 babies were given the name that year.
Names Like Raleigh
These names share Raleigh’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Raleigh mean?
Roe deer clearing. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Raleigh?
Raleigh is pronounced RAW-lee (IPA: /ˈrɔːli/).
Is Raleigh a popular name right now?
Raleigh peaked at #357 in 1891 and is ranked #1916 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
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