Comments for the name Raya

Raya is a name commonly used in Bulgaria as well. The meaning of the name is strongly related to the Bulgarian word for "heaven" which sounds pretty close to 'Raya' - RAI. In Bulgaria Raisa is not very popular for it sounds Russian indeed. Nevertheless Raya is considered one of our most beautiful although not most popular names.

In fact the name Raya (or Raja, Raia) is not used in Russia today (Raisa is their commonly used name). As it is in many cases - a truly Bulgarian name is confused with a Russian one.

Although I am a native Russian I've never heard Raya as a short form of Raisa. Raisa women are being called Rasha, just like Maria - Masha and Daria - Dasha. As far as I am informed Raya is a Bulgarian name.

Ditto the other two comments. Raya is a pet form of Rayna or Rangelina, but I don't think it has anything to do with Raisa. [noted -ed]

My Russian grandma was named Raisa and she has always been called Raya. But maybe this pet form isn't used today.

I know an Irish girl whose name is Raya. She pronounces it "RAY-ah".

Raya in biblical Hebrew means Friend. The origin of this name comes from a word which means friend of God.

Raya is a Hebrew word which simply means "Beautiful woman and wife".

I think this name is absolutely beautiful, though I think I prefer the spelling Raia.