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Ripley
♂ Boy
Pronounced RIP-lee /ˈrɪp.liː/Low
Meaning: Strip of land; narrow clearingLow
In 30 seconds: Ripley is an English place name meaning strip of land or narrow clearing. As a given name it has a bold, unisex quality, associated most strongly with the iconic sci-fi heroine Ellen Ripley from the Alien film series.
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Origin LowEnglish
MeaningStrip of land; narrow clearing
U.S. rank (2025)#1266 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births156 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,034
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
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
Ripley derives from Old English meaning strip of land or narrow clearing. It became an English place name and surname before being used as a given name.
Ripley is used for both boys and girls in the United States, associated with the Alien character and with the Ripley's Believe It or Not franchise.
Did you know? Ellen Ripley, played by Sigourney Weaver in the Alien franchise (1979-1997), is one of cinema's greatest action heroes — a survivor whose courage and resourcefulness redefined what a female protagonist could be. Ripley became synonymous with fierce female strength.
Overall data confidence 90%
Variations
RypleRip
Nicknames
Rip
Famous Bearers
- ★Ellen Ripley (fictional) (fictional)Protagonist of the Alien film franchise, played by Sigourney Weaver (Ripley is the character's surname)
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Frequently Asked
What does Ripley mean?
Strip of land; narrow clearing
How do you pronounce Ripley?
Ripley is pronounced RIP-lee.
What is the origin of Ripley?
Ripley comes from English.
What names are similar to Ripley?
Similar names include harley, kinley, hadley.