Rylie

♀ Girl

Pronounced RY-lee /ˈraɪ.li/High

Meaning: Variant spelling of Riley, from the Irish surname Ó Raghallaigh (descendant of Raghallach, meaning 'courageous') or from an English place name meaning 'rye clearing'; used as a feminine given nameHigh

In 30 seconds: Rylie is a feminine-skewing spelling of Riley, the Irish name meaning 'courageous.' Energetic and modern, the Rylie spelling gives a consistently popular name a slightly more distinctive, feminine look.

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Origin HighIrish, English

MeaningVariant spelling of Riley, from the Irish surname Ó Raghallaigh (descendant of Raghallach, meaning 'courageous') or from an English place name meaning 'rye clearing'; used as a feminine given name

U.S. rank (2025)#478 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births644 girls (0.04% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2008

Total births (all-time)≈ 23,267

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

Rylie is a variant spelling of Riley, from the Irish surname Ó Raghallaigh, meaning 'descendant of Raghallach,' where Raghallach likely means 'courageous' or 'valiant.' Riley also functions as an English topographic name meaning 'rye clearing.' As a girls' name, both Riley and Rylie gained traction in the 1990s.

Riley became one of the top girls' names in the United States in the 2000s and 2010s, and Rylie emerged as a variant spelling appealing to parents who wanted a more feminine appearance. The Pixar film Inside Out (2015), featuring a protagonist named Riley, gave the name additional cultural visibility.

Did you know? The expression 'living the life of Riley' — meaning an easy, carefree existence — may derive from the same Irish surname, though its exact origin is debated. Either way, it gives the name a happy, breezy association.

Overall data confidence 87%

Behind the Name — Riley — etymology for the Riley/Rylie nameU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

RileyRyleighRylee

Nicknames

RyeRy

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Rylie…

Kylie— shares the two-syllable -ley ending and the same modern feminine energy

Hailey— shares the -ley ending and the same 1990s-2000s popularity era

Kailey— another -ley variant with the same bright, modern American feel

Macie— a similarly popular pick

Indie— another modern pick

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Frequently Asked

What does Rylie mean?

Rylie is a variant of Riley, from an Irish surname meaning 'courageous' or 'valiant.' It may also relate to an English place name meaning 'rye clearing.'

How do you pronounce Rylie?

Rylie is pronounced RY-lee /ˈraɪ.li/ — two syllables with stress on the first, identical to Riley.

Is Rylie a girls' name?

Primarily yes. The Rylie spelling is used predominantly for girls, while Riley is more evenly split between boys and girls.

Is Rylie popular?

Rylie and its variants Riley, Rylee, and Ryleigh together form one of the most popular name clusters in the U.S. girls' charts since the late 1990s.