Reilly Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: RY-lee /ˈraɪli/
Origin: Irish; English
Meaning: Irish: valiant; English: descendant of the rebel
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Reilly has its roots in the Irish surname O'Reilly, derived from the Gaelic "O'Raghailligh," which means "descendant of Raghailligh." The name Raghailligh itself is believed to be derived from the Old Irish word "raigh," meaning "king" or "ruler." This etymological lineage reflects a connection to nobility and leadership, common themes in Gaelic names. The transition from the surname to a given name occurred as surnames began to be used as first names, particularly in the 20th century, when many traditional surnames were adopted as first names in English-speaking countries.
Historically, the O'Reilly family was prominent in Ireland, particularly in County Cavan, where they were known as chieftains. The family has a long lineage, with notable figures such as the 16th-century chieftain, Sir John O'Reilly, who was involved in the political landscape of Ireland during the Tudor conquest.
The name gained further recognition through various historical texts and genealogies that documented Irish clans and their histories, particularly during the 19th century when interest in Irish heritage surged. Culturally, the name Reilly carries connotations of strength and leadership, resonating with the historical significance of its Gaelic origins.
It has been embraced in various forms of art and literature, often symbolizing resilience and a connection to Irish identity. The name's adaptability has allowed it to be used in different contexts, and diminutive forms like "Riley" have emerged, further enriching its cultural tapestry.
Overall, Reilly reflects a deep-rooted heritage that connects individuals to their ancestral past.
Famous people named Reilly
In this section, you will find notable people named Reilly. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Reilly who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Reilly who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Reilly Smith is a professional ice hockey player best known for playing with the Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers, and Dallas Stars.
Reilly Opelka is a professional tennis player best known for his performances at the US Open and his ATP titles.
Reilly Anspach is a professional soccer player best known for playing with the Portland Timbers and the United States U-20 team.
Fictional characters named Reilly
The following list of fictional characters named Reilly is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Reilly is a fictional character from the video game series Call of Duty. He is a key member of the military team involved in various high-stakes missions throughout the series.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Reilly, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Reilly. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Reilly was first seen in the United States in 1953.
Reilly has ranked as high as #870 nationally, which occurred in 1997, and has been most popular in California, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Reilly has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Reilly is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Reilly was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Reilly.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 108 | 48 | 60 |
| 2024 | 110 | 46 | 64 |
| 2023 | 106 | 56 | 50 |
| 2022 | 120 | 55 | 65 |
| 2021 | 125 | 60 | 65 |
| 2020 | 132 | 51 | 81 |
| 2019 | 153 | 72 | 81 |
| 2018 | 143 | 71 | 72 |
| 2017 | 139 | 64 | 75 |
| 2016 | 194 | 95 | 99 |
| 2015 | 174 | 84 | 90 |
| 2014 | 193 | 104 | 89 |
| 2013 | 217 | 114 | 103 |
| 2012 | 257 | 149 | 108 |
| 2011 | 283 | 143 | 140 |
| 2010 | 302 | 163 | 139 |
| 2009 | 335 | 172 | 163 |
| 2008 | 403 | 210 | 193 |
| 2007 | 417 | 218 | 199 |
| 2006 | 352 | 174 | 178 |
| 2005 | 419 | 178 | 241 |
| 2004 | 436 | 168 | 268 |
| 2003 | 472 | 196 | 276 |
| 2002 | 509 | 204 | 305 |
| 2001 | 527 | 202 | 325 |
| 2000 | 483 | 194 | 289 |
| 1999 | 498 | 174 | 324 |
| 1998 | 538 | 159 | 379 |
| 1997 | 543 | 183 | 360 |
| 1996 | 316 | 143 | 173 |
| 1995 | 179 | 95 | 84 |
| 1994 | 144 | 66 | 78 |
| 1993 | 139 | 70 | 69 |
| 1992 | 93 | 54 | 39 |
| 1991 | 83 | 45 | 38 |
| 1990 | 95 | 43 | 52 |
| 1989 | 46 | 25 | 21 |
| 1988 | 46 | 32 | 14 |
| 1987 | 36 | 19 | 17 |
| 1986 | 51 | 35 | 16 |
| 1985 | 46 | 39 | 7 |
| 1984 | 21 | 16 | 5 |
| 1983 | 20 | 13 | 7 |
| 1982 | 19 | 11 | 8 |
| 1981 | 16 | 11 | 5 |
| 1980 | 13 | 5 | 8 |
| 1979 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1978 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1975 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1974 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1958 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1953 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
Top States for Reilly (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 13 | |
| PA | 6 | |
| FL | 5 |