Ryan

♂ Boy

Pronounced RY-un /ˈraɪ.ən/High

Meaning: Little king; descendent of the king — from Irish Ó Riain, from rí (king)High

In 30 seconds: An Irish Gaelic surname meaning 'little king,' Ryan became one of the most popular American first names from the 1970s onward, a symbol of the era when Irish surnames crossed over to given names.

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Origin HighIrish Gaelic

MeaningLittle king; descendent of the king — from Irish Ó Riain, from rí (king)

U.S. rank (2025)#99 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births3,532 boys (0.21% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1985

Total births (all-time)≈ 964,092

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

Ryan comes from the Irish surname Ó Riain, meaning 'descendant of Rían,' where rí means 'king' and the suffix adds a diminutive sense. It originated as a surname in Tipperary, Ireland.

Ryan surged in the United States in the 1970s as one of the pioneering Irish surname first names. It was a top-10 U.S. boys' name from the late 1970s through the 1990s and has remained in the top 50.

Did you know? Ryan was among the top 10 U.S. boys' names for much of the 1980s and 1990s, helping cement the trend for Irish surname first names like Shannon, Brady, and Kelly.

Variations

RyannRianRyen

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Ryan Reynolds (1976–)
Canadian-American actor and businessman, known for the Deadpool film franchise.

If you like Ryan…

Quinn— short Irish surname name with the same clean, modern energy

Logan— Celtic surname name with the same chart-topping American career

Rowan— a fellow Irish Gaelic choice

Rian— shares the -an ending

Ronan— shares the -an ending

Explore names like Ryan

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ryan mean?

Ryan comes from the Irish Ó Riain, meaning 'descendant of the little king,' from the Irish rí (king).

How do you pronounce Ryan?

It is said RY-un /ˈraɪ.ən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Ryan a boy or girl name?

Ryan is primarily a boy's name, though it is occasionally used for girls.

How popular is Ryan?

Ryan was a top-10 U.S. boys' name in the 1980s and 1990s and remains in the top 50 today.