Ryan

♀ Girl

Pronounced RY-an /ˈraɪ.ən/High

Meaning: Anglicized form of the Irish Ó Riain or Mac Riain, from the Old Irish name Rían, possibly a diminutive of the word for 'king' (rí), meaning 'little king'; a major Irish clan surname turned given nameHigh

In 30 seconds: Ryan is a classic Irish surname that became one of the most popular American boys names of the 20th century — and has since made a confident crossover to girls. Actress Ryan Newman and others have helped establish it as a sleek, strong unisex option.

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Origin HighIrish Gaelic

MeaningAnglicized form of the Irish Ó Riain or Mac Riain, from the Old Irish name Rían, possibly a diminutive of the word for 'king' (rí), meaning 'little king'; a major Irish clan surname turned given name

U.S. rank (2025)#715 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births393 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2018

Total births (all-time)≈ 27,618

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Ryan derives from the Irish surname Ó Riain, from the given name Rían, likely meaning 'little king.' The Ryan clan was powerful in County Tipperary and Munster. As a given name, Ryan was used for boys in Ireland and among Irish Americans before becoming a mainstream American name.

Ryan entered the girls name charts meaningfully in the 1990s and 2000s. While it remains more commonly masculine, its use for girls has been steady, and it carries a cool, no-fuss confidence that appeals to parents who want a strong, non-frilly name for their daughter.

Did you know? Ryan was among the top 10 boys names in the United States for much of the 1970s–2000s. Its shift toward girls use is a textbook example of the American naming phenomenon where popular boys names eventually migrate to girls as parents seek something familiar yet fresh.

Overall data confidence 87%

Behind the Name — Ryan — etymology and usageU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

RyannRyanneRian

Nicknames

Famous Bearers

★Ryan Newman (1998–present)
American actress known for roles in Zeke and Luther and See Dad Run.

If you like Ryan…

Quinn— shares the crisp Irish-origin unisex crossover from male to female with similar confidence

Reagan— fellow Irish-origin surname trending strongly for girls with political flair

Riley— parallel Irish surname that made the same male-to-female crossover journey

Rowan— shares the clean Irish Gaelic heritage and strong unisex modern appeal

Frequently Asked

What does the name Ryan mean for a girl?

Ryan means 'little king' from Irish Gaelic Rían. As a girls name it carries the same strong, confident meaning with a cool unisex edge.

How do you pronounce Ryan?

Ryan is pronounced RY-an /ˈraɪ.ən/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Ryan used as a girls name?

Yes, Ryan has been used for girls in the United States since the 1990s and is considered a genuinely unisex choice, though it remains more common for boys.

Why are parents using Ryan for girls?

Ryan is part of the trend of strong Irish surname-names crossing over to girls, following the path of Riley, Quinn, and Reagan.