US Popularity:67
Origin:British
Other Origin(s):Irish
Meaning:rye clearing; courageous, valiant
Riley is a gender-neutral name of British origin. A versatile choice for both girls and boys, it means "rye clearing." First cultivated thousands of years ago, rye is a cereal grain that thrives under difficult conditions. With this association, you can encourage baby Riley to withstand life's challenges and overcome obstacles to achieve their dreams. Riley also stems from the Irish surname Reilly, meaning "courageous" or "valiant." If you want to honor your ancestral roots or inspire baby to be brave, this interpretation may fit the bill.

Famous People Named Riley

Wondering who else shares this name? Check out these well known people who made this baby name famous.
  • Riley Cooper
    Football Player
  • Riley Edward Donoho
    Son of Holly Combs
  • Riley Smith
    Actor

Common Nicknames for Riley

Thought Riley couldn’t get any cuter? Check out adorable nicknames for baby below.

How Popular Is The Name Riley?

The Bump Ranking

Overall:Riley is currently #31 on The Bump
Boy:Riley is currently #16 on The Bump Boy Names
Girl:Riley is currently #28 on The Bump Girl Names

U.S. Births

Overall:Riley is currently #67 in U.S. births
Boy:Riley is currently #223 in U.S. births
Girl:Riley is currently #43 in U.S. births

Yearly Ranking Change:

Year:
2023
Gender:
Girl
#43
in 2023
- 4
from 2022
In comparison to the previous year's data
Sources
  • A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances by Charles Wareing Endell Bardsley

  • Behind the Name Riley January 2022

  • Name Doctor Riley

  • 100,000+ Baby Names by Bruce Lansky

Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial process.

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