Riley Unisex
Origin(s)
PronunciationRYE-lee / /ˈraɪli/Irish; English
Meaning
Irish: 'courageous'; English: 'rye clearing'
Historical & Cultural Background
Riley is derived from the Irish surname O'Reilly, which means 'descendant of Raghailleach'. It has been used as a given name for both boys and girls, gaining popularity in the late 20th century. The name has a cheerful and friendly connotation, often associated with a spirited personality.
Trend Summary
Riley has seen a steady rise in popularity for girls in the United States, consistently ranking in the top 100 names.
Similar Names
Variants
- Rylee
- Rylie
- Rilee
International Variants
- Riley (English)
- Rylie (English)
Famous people named Riley
Riley Keough is an American actress known for her roles in films such as 'Mad Max: Fury Road'.
Riley Curry is the daughter of NBA player Stephen Curry and has gained media attention for her charming personality.
Riley Blake is a well-known fabric designer in the quilting industry.
Riley Smith is an American actor and musician recognized for his work in television series like 'Frequency'.
Fictional characters named Riley
Riley is a character in the animated film 'Inside Out', representing the emotions of a young girl.
Riley Matthews is a character in the Disney Channel series 'Girl Meets World', known for her adventurous spirit.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Riley was first seen in the United States in 1923. Riley has ranked as high as #71 nationally, which occurred in 2016, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Pennsylvania. In the past 5 years the name Riley has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Riley (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 477 | |
| TX | 357 | |
| NY | 294 | |
| FL | 275 | |
| PA | 212 | |
| GA | 184 | |
| OH | 182 | |
| NC | 177 | |
| NJ | 156 | |
| VA | 151 | |
| IL | 144 | |
| TN | 140 | |
| MA | 120 | |
| CO | 107 | |
| WA | 103 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1923 | 5 |
| 1929 | 6 |
| 1930 | 5 |
| 1937 | 6 |
| 1941 | 5 |
| 1942 | 5 |
| 1943 | 5 |
| 1947 | 6 |
| 1951 | 5 |
| 1952 | 7 |
| 1957 | 6 |
| 1965 | 6 |
| 1968 | 5 |
| 1973 | 7 |
| 1974 | 8 |
| 1975 | 11 |
| 1976 | 7 |
| 1977 | 10 |
| 1978 | 13 |
| 1979 | 16 |
| 1980 | 20 |
| 1981 | 25 |
| 1982 | 36 |
| 1983 | 37 |
| 1984 | 22 |
| 1985 | 64 |
| 1986 | 99 |
| 1987 | 88 |
| 1988 | 124 |
| 1989 | 169 |
| 1990 | 238 |
| 1991 | 286 |
| 1992 | 424 |
| 1993 | 553 |
| 1994 | 756 |
| 1995 | 969 |
| 1996 | 1,150 |
| 1997 | 1,669 |
| 1998 | 1,877 |
| 1999 | 2,312 |
| 2000 | 2,552 |
| 2001 | 3,044 |
| 2002 | 3,906 |
| 2003 | 4,243 |
| 2004 | 4,982 |
| 2005 | 5,127 |
| 2006 | 5,056 |
| 2007 | 5,212 |
| 2008 | 5,773 |
| 2009 | 5,636 |
| 2010 | 5,543 |
| 2011 | 5,043 |
| 2012 | 4,833 |
| 2013 | 4,941 |
| 2014 | 4,798 |
| 2015 | 5,738 |
| 2016 | 7,159 |
| 2017 | 6,366 |
| 2018 | 6,009 |
| 2019 | 5,710 |
| 2020 | 5,338 |
| 2021 | 5,219 |
| 2022 | 4,906 |
| 2023 | 4,637 |
| 2024 | 4,644 |