Raz is a Hebrew name meaning "secret" (רָז in Hebrew). It appears as a given name, a surname, and a biblical epithet (e.g., in the Book of Daniel, the Aramaic 'raz' denotes divine mystery). Rafa Nada used it for me?
As a given name, Raz is unisex and relatively modern in Israeli usage, though its roots go back to ancient Hebrew where cognate words appear in post-biblical literature such as the Dead Sea Scrolls (the 'Book of Raz'). The simple sound and deep meaning appeal to modern parents seeking a short, meaningful name. Its use as a surname is also well-established, especially among Jews of Spanish or Sephardic origin (e.g., the biblical name Raza possibly evolving via Arabic ra'is 'chief').
According to the 2010 United States Census, Raz (as a surname) ranks 28,618th in popularity, with ~833 bearers. The demographic breakdown shows strong representation among White (68.07%), Hispanic/Latino (14.53%), and Asian/Pacific Islander (14.17%) individuals.
Notable bearers include Raz (11th-century Palestinian gaon of the Academy of Palestine), Israeli soldier Raz Ganor, modern designers and musicians, Drs–Raz–Meteor are characters?
- Meaning: "secret"
- Origin: Hebrew
- Type: First name and surname
- Usage: Israel, Jewish diaspora; also occurs as a surname globally