Ryan: Meaning, Origin, and Popularity
Little king, a name with effortless Irish charm and easygoing confidence.
Ryan as a Boy Name
- Origin
- Irish
- Syllables
- 2
- Current rank
- #25
- Peak
- #12 in 1996
Trend: Falling, easing off its high over the latest decade.
Popularity over time
Lower rank = more popular (rank 1 is the most popular name)
What Ryan Means
Ryan is a boy name of Irish origin. Little king, a name with effortless Irish charm and easygoing confidence.
How Popular Ryan Is
Ryan currently ranks #25 among boy names in the United States, based on Social Security Administration data. It peaked at #12 in 1996. It has been easing off its high.
Good to Know About Ryan
- Ryan Reynolds and Ryan Gosling have kept this name in the spotlight.
- Private Ryan from Saving Private Ryan is one of cinema's most iconic characters.
- Ryan has been a top 30 name for over 30 years.
Ryan as a Unisex Name
- Origin
- Irish
- Syllables
- 2
- Current rank
- #62
- Peak
- #12 in 1985
Trend: Falling, easing off its high over the latest decade.
Popularity over time
Lower rank = more popular (rank 1 is the most popular name)
What Ryan Means
Ryan is a unisex name of Irish origin. Meaning little king in Irish, Ryan has a regal simplicity that has kept it in the top charts for decades.
How Popular Ryan Is
Ryan currently ranks #62 among name for any genders in the United States, based on Social Security Administration data. It peaked at #12 in 1985. It has been easing off its high.
Good to Know About Ryan
- Ryan is used for girls largely thanks to Meg Ryan and Ryan Reynolds.
- It has been in the boys' top 20 for over three decades.
- The Irish form Rian has also gained popularity as an alternative spelling.
Names Like Ryan
Other Irish names that start with the same letter or share a style.
Sibling Names for Ryan
Irish names that pair well as a brother or sister to Ryan.
Questions About Ryan
What does Ryan mean?
Ryan is a boy name of Irish origin. Little king, a name with effortless Irish charm and easygoing confidence.
How popular is Ryan?
Ryan currently ranks #25 among boy names in the United States, based on Social Security Administration data. It peaked at #12 in 1996. It has been easing off its high.
Where does Ryan come from?
Ryan comes from Irish roots. Ryan Reynolds and Ryan Gosling have kept this name in the spotlight.
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