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Home › Baby Names Directory › Riel

Riel

♂ Boy

Pronounced ree-EL /riˈɛl/Medium

Meaning: A short form of Gabriel ('God is my strength') and Uriel ('God is my light') — the -riel/-el element ('God'); routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: God is my strength/light: Riel is a short form of Gabriel/Uriel. Crisp, modern, and warm (said 'ree-EL').
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Origin LowHebrew
MeaningA short form of Gabriel ('God is my strength') and Uriel ('God is my light') — the -riel/-el element ('God'); routes layered
U.S. rank (2024)#8791 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births9 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2013
Total births (all-time)≈ 95

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201320072024

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

Riel is a short form of Gabriel ('God is my strength') and Uriel ('God is my light') — the -riel/-el element ('God'; routes layered, which we note). A crisp, modern name (said 'ree-EL').

In the U.S. it appears in Hispanic and Filipino families. Rare, God-is-my-strength at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Riel is a short form of Gabriel ('God is my strength') and Uriel ('God is my light') — a crisp, modern name (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'ree-EL').
Overall data confidence 32%
References — Riel — routes layered

Variations

RielleRiehlRiel

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Riel…

Gabriel— a source name
Uriel— a source name
Ariel— a fellow -riel name
Abriel— a sound-neighbor -riel name

Explore names like Riel

By themeuncertainhebrew
By meaningLightGod / DivineStrength

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Riel mean?

Riel is a short form of Gabriel ('God is my strength') and Uriel ('God is my light'); the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Riel?

It's said ree-EL /riˈɛl/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Riel a boy or girl name?

Riel is a boy's name.

How popular is Riel?

Riel is a very rare name in the U.S.

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