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Raleigh

RAH-lee

Raleigh (name) means the capital city of North Carolina, and an English surname, both named after the explorer Sir Walter Raleigh. Example: “Raleigh is home to several major universities.”

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The capital city of North Carolina, and an English surname, both named after the explorer Sir Walter Raleigh.
"Raleigh is home to several major universities."
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Test yourself on “Raleigh” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ is home to several major universities.

Etymology

From Old English rā, rāha ("roe deer") + lēah ("woodland, clearing").

Origin: Old English

Rhymes for Raleigh

See all rhymes for Raleigh →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Raleigh” mean?

The word “Raleigh” means the capital city of North Carolina, and an English surname, both named after the explorer Sir Walter Raleigh.

How do you pronounce “Raleigh”?

“Raleigh” is pronounced RAH-lee (/ˈɹɔːli/ in IPA).

How do you use “Raleigh” in a sentence?

Here is “Raleigh” used in a sentence: “Raleigh is home to several major universities.”

What part of speech is “Raleigh”?

“Raleigh” is a name.

Where does the word “Raleigh” come from?

The word “Raleigh” comes from Old English. From Old English rā, rāha ("roe deer") + lēah ("woodland, clearing").

Is “Raleigh” a common word?

“Raleigh” is an uncommon word in modern English.

What is Raleigh known for?

Raleigh is the capital city of North Carolina, named after the English explorer Sir Walter Raleigh. The same name also exists as an English surname and a given name, all tracing back to that origin.

Is Raleigh a first name or a surname?

Raleigh works as both a surname and a given name for people, in addition to being a place name. Both personal-name uses derive from the same source as the city name.

Why is the capital of North Carolina called Raleigh?

The city was named in honor of Sir Walter Raleigh, the English explorer whose name it shares with an English surname. The place name and the surname both stem from the same historical figure.

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