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Riley
Pronounced RY-lee /ˈraɪ.li/High
Meaning: Valiant, courageous; from Irish Ó Raghallaigh; also possibly from Old English ryge-leah (rye clearing)Medium
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
History & Origin
Riley has two possible origins: the Irish surname Ó Raghallaigh, anglicized as O'Reilly or Riley, meaning 'valiant' or 'courageous'; and an Old English place-name composed of ryge ('rye') + leah ('clearing'). Both theories are plausible. As a first name it has been used in the United States since the 19th century.
Riley was primarily a boys' name in the United States through the 20th century but began crossing to girls in the 1990s. By the 2000s it was more common for girls than for boys in the U.S. It received a boost from the Pixar film Inside Out (2015), whose protagonist Riley is a girl. As a boys' name it still ranks in the top 200.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Riley (Inside Out character) (2015)Protagonist of the Pixar film <em>Inside Out</em>, whose name boosted the name for girls.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Riley mean?
Riley means 'valiant' from Irish Ó Raghallaigh, or 'rye clearing' from Old English ryge-leah. Both origins are plausible.
How do you pronounce Riley?
Riley is pronounced RY-lee (/ˈraɪ.li/) — two syllables with stress on the first.
Is Riley a boy or girl name?
Riley is used for both sexes. As a boy's name it is listed here; it is now more commonly given to girls in the U.S.
How popular is Riley?
Riley is in the top 200 U.S. boys' names and even higher as a girls' name. It has been rising for both sexes since the 1990s.