Riley
Irish name meaning “valiant; rye clearing”
- Gender
- Unisex · 74% girls
- Origin
- Irish
- Meaning
- valiant; rye clearing
- Syllables
- 2
- Letters
- 5
- US rank (2023)
- #223
- Born in 2023
- 6,268
- Peak year
- 2003 (#104)
Meaning & origin
Riley comes either from the Irish O Raghallaigh ('valiant') or an English place name meaning 'rye clearing'. It is popular for any gender.
Is Riley an Irish name?
Yes — Riley is an Irish name meaning "valiant; rye clearing". Riley comes either from the Irish O Raghallaigh ('valiant') or an English place name meaning 'rye clearing'. It is popular for any gender. You may also see it described as Gaelic or Celtic, which refer to the same root.
Popularity
In the latest US data, Riley ranked #223 for children. It has held remarkably steady over the past decade — a dependable classic.
In 2023, Riley was given to 4,637 girls and 1,631 boys in the US — about 74% girls.
US popularity rank over time
Peaked at #104 in 2003
“Unranked” means Riley was outside the US top 1,000 that year.
How to spell Riley
Riley is spelled R-I-L-E-Y — 5 letters and 2 syllables.
Riley: frequently asked questions
What does the name Riley mean?
Riley is a Irish name meaning "valiant; rye clearing". Riley comes either from the Irish O Raghallaigh ('valiant') or an English place name meaning 'rye clearing'. It is popular for any gender.
Where does the name Riley come from?
Riley is of Irish origin. Riley comes either from the Irish O Raghallaigh ('valiant') or an English place name meaning 'rye clearing'. It is popular for any gender.
Is Riley a boy or a girl name?
Riley is used for both. In the latest US data it was given to 4,637 girls and 1,631 boys — about 74% girls and 26% boys.
How many babies are named Riley?
In 2023, Riley was given to 4,637 girls and 1,631 boys in the US — about 74% girls.
Is Riley a popular name, and is it rising or falling?
In the latest US data, Riley ranked #223 for children. It has held remarkably steady over the past decade — a dependable classic.
How do you spell Riley?
Riley is spelled R-I-L-E-Y — 5 letters.
How common is the name Riley?
In 2023, Riley was given to 4,637 girls and 1,631 boys in the US — about 74% girls. In the latest US data, Riley ranked #223 for children. It has held remarkably steady over the past decade — a dependable classic.
Is Riley an Irish name?
Yes — Riley is an Irish name meaning "valiant; rye clearing". Riley comes either from the Irish O Raghallaigh ('valiant') or an English place name meaning 'rye clearing'. It is popular for any gender. You may also see it described as Gaelic or Celtic, which refer to the same root.
What does Riley mean in Irish?
In Irish, Riley means "valiant; rye clearing". Riley comes either from the Irish O Raghallaigh ('valiant') or an English place name meaning 'rye clearing'. It is popular for any gender.
Is Riley a Gaelic name?
Riley is usually classified as Irish, and Gaelic belongs to that same tradition — so yes, it is commonly described as Gaelic too. It means "valiant; rye clearing".