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Narai as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Narai

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The baby name Narai is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /nɑːˈraɪ/ (NAH-rye).

Narai is Thai in Origin.

Gender: Male
Syllables: 2.0
Origin: Thai
Pronunciation: /nɑːˈraɪ/ (NAH-rye)

What is the meaning of the name Narai ?

The baby name Narai is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /nɑːˈraɪ/ (NAH-rye).

Narai is Thai in Origin.

Narai (Thai: นารายณ์) is the Thai form of Sanskrit Nārāyaṇa, a principal epithet of the god Vishnu. From nara “man, living being” and ayana “resting place, refuge,” it conveys “refuge of men” or “he who dwells in all beings.” In Thai usage Narai directly names Vishnu and functions as an auspicious masculine given name connoting preservation, protection, and divine authority.

The name gained special prestige through Somdet Phra Narai the Great (r. 1656–1688) of Ayutthaya, whose reign expanded Siam’s diplomacy and arts, embedding Narai in royal and cultural memory. Cognate and variant forms across South and Southeast Asia include Narayan, Narayana, Narain, Narayanan, and Narayen; the feminine counterpart is Narayani. Today Narai remains recognizable in Thailand and the Thai diaspora, balancing sacred resonance with a crisp, modern sound.

Narai has the following similar or variant Names

Narai – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
YE 0 #398 1 8,639
GT Girls 0 #541 1 7,500
HK Boys 0 #557 1 12,905
BH 0 #587 1 17,937
BO Girls 0 #651 1 9,488
SG Boys 0 #739 1 17,960
BR Boys 0 #785 1 12,213
United States Girls 2024 #905 12 8,487
BR Girls 0 #990 3 12,708
NG Boys 0 #1,001 1 16,906
PE Girls 0 #1,010 1 14,861
MY Girls 0 #1,071 2 24,821
AE Boys 0 #1,143 1 22,615
CO Girls 0 #1,152 1 16,140
MX Girls 0 #1,167 17 17,781
MY Boys 0 #1,180 3 25,439
SA Boys 0 #1,688 4 28,008

Narai is popular in 15 countries — most recent births per country:

United States
AE
BH
BO
BR

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People also ask about Narai

Narai is predominantly a boy's name.
Narai is a 2 syllable name, pronounced /nɑːˈraɪ/ (NAH-rye).
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Narayan, Narayana and Naray.
Somewhat — Narai ranked #905 in United States in 2024, placing it just outside the most common names.