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Home › Baby Names Directory › Rilee

Rilee

♂ Boy

Pronounced RY-lee /ˈraɪ.li/High

Meaning: Rilee is a modern spelling of Riley, which has two roots: the Irish surname O Raghallaigh, whose name element is usually read as 'valiant; courageous', and the English place name meaning 'rye clearing'. In the U.S. Riley and its spellings lean to girls, which we note; used here for a boy.Low

In 30 seconds: A spelling of Riley: 'valiant' in Irish, 'rye clearing' in English (said 'RY-lee'). It leans to girls in the U.S., which we note.
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Origin LowIrish, English
MeaningRilee is a modern spelling of Riley, which has two roots: the Irish surname O Raghallaigh, whose name element is usually read as 'valiant; courageous', and the English place name meaning 'rye clearing'. In the U.S. Riley and its spellings lean to girls, which we note; used here for a boy.
U.S. rank (2024)#13772 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2007
Total births (all-time)≈ 412

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200919952024

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

Rilee respells Riley, a name with a double root: the Irish surname O Raghallaigh, usually glossed 'valiant; courageous', and an English place name from ryge ('rye') plus leah ('clearing'). Riley rose hugely as a given name and now leans to girls in the U.S., a lean that carries to this spelling too, which we note (said 'RY-lee').

For boys this spelling is rare, against heavier girls' use. Rare for boys, breezy, and modern.

Did you know? Riley has two family trees at once — an Irish one from O Raghallaigh, read as 'valiant', and an English one meaning 'rye clearing'. Rilee is a modern spelling of it, and in the U.S. it leans to girls, which we note.
Overall data confidence 42%
References — Rilee — Spelling of Riley; Irish O Raghallaigh / English 'rye clearing'

Variations

RileyRyleyReilly

Nicknames

RiLee

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Rilee…

Kiley— a close rhyme, same era
Bailey— a like unisex surname-name
Rylee— a fellow English choice
Oaklee— a fellow English choice
Jaycee— shares the -ee ending

Explore names like Rilee

By thememodernenglishirishcross-sex

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Rilee mean?

Rilee is a spelling of Riley — 'valiant; courageous' in its Irish root, or 'rye clearing' in its English one.

How do you pronounce Rilee?

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

Is Rilee a boy or girl name?

Here Rilee is used as a boy's name, but in the U.S. this spelling leans to girls, which we note.

How popular is Rilee?

Rilee is a rare spelling for boys in the U.S., and more often given to girls.

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