Riley
Riley is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic 'Ó Raghallaigh,' meaning 'descendant of Raghallach' (valiant or courageous). Originally a boys' name, it has become increasingly popular for girls in recent decades, embodying a spirited, adventurous quality.
Current Popularity
#42 for girls
in the United States (2024)
Popularity over time
Good to Know
- •Easy to spell and pronounce in English-speaking countries
- •Increasingly used as a unisex name, more common for girls in recent years
- •Multiple spelling variations exist (Rylee, Ryleigh, Rylie)
- •Has a contemporary, tomboyish charm while remaining approachable
- •Multiple spelling variations exist
Similar Names
Famous People
Riley Keough
Actress and model
Riley Hubatka
Social media influencer and content creator
Riley Voelkel
Actress
Riley Gaines
Competitive swimmer and activist
Statistics
137,477
Total births since 1880
2016
Peak year
Discovery
Keep exploring
Use these paths to keep browsing instead of backing out into a blank search.
Rising now
Browse trending names
See names climbing fastest right now.
Always popular
Explore timeless classics
Find names that have stayed strong for decades.
For this gender
See all-time favorites
Jump into the broadest popularity list.
Stories
Read famous-name profiles
Follow cultural stories that shaped naming trends.
Guides
Browse recent articles
Move from inspiration into editorial advice.