Gender: Feminine
Origin: Bulgarian
Meaning: “paradise.”
(RYE-yah) Рая

The name was initially a diminutive form of Rayna, but has come to be more associated with the Bulgaria word Рай (rai) meaning, “paradise.”

As of 2009, Raya was the 10th most popular female name in Bulgaria. It is also used in Armenia.

Variant transcriptions include: Raia and Raja.