Riley: Meaning, Origin, and Popularity
An Irish surname meaning courageous, now a spirited and playful choice for girls.
Riley as a Girl Name
- Origin
- Irish
- Syllables
- 2
- Current rank
- #29
- Peak
- #22 in 2016
Trend: Steady, holding a similar rank across the latest decade.
Popularity over time
Lower rank = more popular (rank 1 is the most popular name)
What Riley Means
Riley is a girl name of Irish origin. An Irish surname meaning courageous, now a spirited and playful choice for girls.
How Popular Riley Is
Riley currently ranks #29 among girl names in the United States, based on Social Security Administration data. It peaked at #22 in 2016. It has held steady.
Good to Know About Riley
- Riley is the lead character in Pixar's Inside Out.
- One of the most successful gender-crossover names of the 2000s.
- Was exclusively a boys' name and surname until the late 1990s.
Riley as a Unisex Name
- Origin
- Irish
- Syllables
- 2
- Current rank
- #35
- Peak
- #22 in 2016
Trend: Steady, holding a similar rank across the latest decade.
Popularity over time
Lower rank = more popular (rank 1 is the most popular name)
What Riley Means
Riley is a unisex name of Irish origin. Meaning courageous in Irish, Riley has an upbeat, can-do energy that makes it one of the most popular unisex names of our time.
How Popular Riley Is
Riley currently ranks #35 among name for any genders in the United States, based on Social Security Administration data. It peaked at #22 in 2016. It has held steady.
Good to Know About Riley
- Inside Out's Riley Anderson made this name feel wholesome and relatable for girls.
- Riley is now more commonly given to girls than boys in the United States.
- It comes from the Irish surname O'Reilly, one of the most common in Ireland.
Names Like Riley
Other Irish names that start with the same letter or share a style.
Sibling Names for Riley
Irish names that pair well as a brother or sister to Riley.
Questions About Riley
What does Riley mean?
Riley is a girl name of Irish origin. An Irish surname meaning courageous, now a spirited and playful choice for girls.
How popular is Riley?
Riley currently ranks #29 among girl names in the United States, based on Social Security Administration data. It peaked at #22 in 2016. It has held steady.
Where does Riley come from?
Riley comes from Irish roots. Riley is the lead character in Pixar's Inside Out.
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