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Name Lineage

    The first name Riley

    A unisex name from Irish meaning “rye”, “clearing”, “meadow”.

    Pronounced /ˈɹaɪ.li/ 2 syllables Unisex Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    Irish origin

    Riley means “rye”, “clearing”, “meadow” in Irish.

    * From Ryley in Lancashire, from Old English ryge (“rye”) + leah (“clearing, meadow”). Equivalent to rye + -ley (“lea”). * A variant of Reilly, from Irish Ó Raghallaigh (see O'Reilly).

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 619 boys were named Riley, making it the 83rd most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2012, with 4,825 births (#8).

    02,5005,000 1996200020052010201520202025
    GirlsBoys
    41,496
    babies named Riley, 1996–2025
    #83
    rank in 2025
    2012
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Riley with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Riley at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 4,441 girls born in the United States were named Riley, the 48th most popular girls’ name that year. It was used most in 2016, when 7,159 were.

    04,0008,000 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    GirlsBoys
    246,985
    babies named Riley since 1880
    #48
    rank in 2025
    2016
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Nicknames and spellings

    Other spellings and forms

    Famous people named Riley

    24 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Riley Reid
      American pornographic film actress (born 1991)
    • Riley Keough
      American actress, born 1989
    • Riley Steele
      American pornographic actress, born 1987
    • Riley McGree
      Australian association football player, born 1998
    • Riley Voelkel
      American actress, born 1990
    • Riley Smith
      American actor-model, born 1978
    • Dylan Riley Synder
      American actor, born 1997
    • Riley Salmon
      American volleyball player, born 1976
    • Riley Fitzsimmons
      Australian canoeist, born 1996
    • Riley Nash
      Canadian ice hockey player, born 1989
    • Riley Sheahan
      Canadian ice hockey player, born 1991
    • Riley Barber
      American ice hockey player, born 1994

    More Irish unisex names

    All 142 names of Irish origin

    Questions

    What does the name Riley mean?
    Riley means “rye”, “clearing”, “meadow” in Irish.
    What is the origin of the name Riley?
    * From Ryley in Lancashire, from Old English ryge (“rye”) + leah (“clearing, meadow”). Equivalent to rye + -ley (“lea”). * A variant of Reilly, from Irish Ó Raghallaigh (see O'Reilly).
    How popular is the name Riley?
    In 2025, 619 boys born in England and Wales were named Riley, ranking 83rd. Its peak was 2012, with 4,825 births.
    Is Riley a boy's or a girl's name?
    Both. Of the 246,985 US babies named Riley since 1880, 57% were girls and 43% boys.
    When was Riley most popular?
    2016 in the United States, when 7,159 babies were named Riley, its highest rank at 22nd.
    How do you pronounce Riley?
    Riley is /ˈɹaɪ.li/, 2 syllables.
    What are other spellings of Riley?
    Rileigh, Rylee, Ryleigh, Rylie and Ryley.
    Is Riley also a surname?
    Yes. Riley is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.