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Home › Baby Names Directory › Righteous

Righteous

♀ Girl

Pronounced RY-chus /ˈraɪ.tʃəs/High

Meaning: The English word righteous, 'morally upright; just,' from Old English rihtwis (riht, 'right' + wis, 'wise, manner'). Used directly as a given name in the tradition of virtue names such as Justice, Grace, and Faith. No older name tradition sits behind it.Medium

In 30 seconds: A virtue word used straight: Righteous means 'morally upright, just' (said 'RY-chus'). Bold, plain-spoken, and rare.
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Origin LowEnglish
MeaningThe English word righteous, 'morally upright; just,' from Old English rihtwis (riht, 'right' + wis, 'wise, manner'). Used directly as a given name in the tradition of virtue names such as Justice, Grace, and Faith. No older name tradition sits behind it.
U.S. rank (2024)#14869 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2017
Total births (all-time)≈ 49

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202220112024

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

Righteous is the English word used directly as a name. Its root is the Old English rihtwis, 'right in manner' — a word long at home in scripture and in preaching, which we note respectfully. As a given name it sits with the modern virtue names, and no older naming tradition lies behind it, which we note honestly (said 'RY-chus').

It appears only very rarely in U.S. records. Very rare, bold, and virtue-plain.

Did you know? Righteous comes from Old English rihtwis — literally 'right-wise.' Used as a name it joins the virtue-name tradition alongside Justice, Grace, and Faith (said 'RY-chus').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Righteous — English virtue word; Old English rihtwis

Variations

Righteousness

Nicknames

RightyRye

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Righteous…

Faith— a classic virtue pick
Grace— a like plain virtue name
Mercy— another word name of the same family
Lotus— another English name
Precious— another English name

Explore names like Righteous

By themeenglishword-namevirtuebold
By meaningGraceWisdomGift / BlessingSnow / Winter

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Righteous mean?

Righteous is the English word for 'morally upright, just,' from Old English rihtwis.

How do you pronounce Righteous?

It's said RY-chus /ˈraɪ.tʃəs/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Righteous a boy or girl name?

Righteous is used for both, and appears here as a girl's name.

How popular is Righteous?

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

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