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Home › Baby Names Directory › Rhiannon

Rhiannon

♀ Girl

Pronounced ree-AN-on /riˈæn.ɒn/Low

Meaning: Great queen, divine queenLow

In 30 seconds: Rhiannon is a magnificent Welsh name from Celtic mythology, meaning great queen or divine queen. She was a goddess of the Other World who rode a white horse no earthly horse could outrun. The Fleetwood Mac song Rhiannon brought it global fame in 1975.
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Origin LowWelsh
MeaningGreat queen, divine queen
U.S. rank (2025)#1119 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births210 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1999
Total births (all-time)≈ 15,535

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199919742025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Rhiannon appears in the Welsh collection of myths known as the Mabinogion, where she is a supernatural woman from the Otherworld who becomes the wife of Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed. Her name derives from the Brythonic Celtic words meaning great queen or divine maiden.

The name Rhiannon was relatively obscure in the English-speaking world until Fleetwood Mac released their song Rhiannon in 1975, written by Stevie Nicks. The song brought the name widespread attention and it has been used as a given name in English-speaking countries ever since.

Did you know? In Welsh mythology, Rhiannon rode a horse so swift that no mortal horse could keep pace, and when she finally stopped, she was found to be from Annwn, the Welsh Otherworld — one of the most magical figures in the entire Celtic tradition.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name: Rhiannon

Variations

RiannonRihannonRhianon

Nicknames

RhiRhi-RhiAnnie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Rhiannon (mythology) (mythological)
    Figure in the Welsh Mabinogi, associated with sovereignty and a supernatural white horse

If you like Rhiannon…

Rowena— Celtic queen-name with similar mythological resonance
Guinevere— Celtic queen name of mythological significance
Niamh— Irish Otherworld goddess name of same family
Avalon— echoes that soft -on sound
Gwynevere— another mythology pick

Explore names like Rhiannon

By themethree-syllablemythologywelshcelticmystical
By meaningGod / DivineRoyal / Noble

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Frequently Asked

What does Rhiannon mean?

Rhiannon means great queen or divine queen in Welsh, from Brythonic Celtic roots, referring to a supernatural woman in Welsh mythology.

Who is Rhiannon in mythology?

Rhiannon is a Welsh goddess who appears in the Mabinogion. She rode a white horse no earthly horse could catch and came from the Otherworld.

How do you pronounce Rhiannon?

Rhiannon is pronounced ree-AN-on, with three syllables and stress on the second.

Why is the name Rhiannon popular?

Fleetwood Mac's 1975 song Rhiannon, written by Stevie Nicks, brought the name worldwide attention and made it popular in English-speaking countries.

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