Riley
Riley first appears in US records in 1923. It peaked in 2016, when 7,159 girls were given the name; in 2025 there were 4,441.
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Is Riley popular?
Steady Riley has held fairly steady over the past decade, after peaking in 2016.
| 2020s | 29,219 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 56,150 | |
| 2000s | 45,533 | |
| 1990s | 10,234 | |
| 1980s | 680 | |
| 1970s | 72 | |
| 1960s | 11 | |
| 1950s | 18 | |
| 1940s | 21 | |
| 1930s | 11 | |
| 1920s | 11 |
Counts from US Social Security Administration data, 1880–2025.
What does Riley mean?
Riley has two strands: the Irish Ó Raghallaigh, linked to “valiant” or “courageous,” and an English place name meaning “rye clearing.”
Variants & spellings
- Reilly
- Rylee
Names like Riley
Irish names with a similar feel and popularity.
Names that pair well with Riley
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Compare Riley
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Frequently asked questions
What does the name Riley mean?
Riley means Valiant; rye clearing. Riley has two strands: the Irish Ó Raghallaigh, linked to “valiant” or “courageous,” and an English place name meaning “rye clearing.”
What is the origin of the name Riley?
Riley is of Irish origin.
How do you pronounce Riley?
Riley is pronounced “RY-lee.”
Is Riley a boy or a girl name?
Riley is most commonly used as a unisex name.
Is Riley a popular name right now?
Riley has held fairly steady over the past decade, after peaking in 2016.
How popular is the name Riley?
In 2025, Riley ranked #208 among boys’ and #48 among girls’ names in the United States, according to U.S. Social Security Administration data.
When was the name Riley most popular?
Riley was most popular in 2016, when about 7,159 US babies were given the name that year, according to US Social Security Administration records.
What names are similar to Riley?
Names similar to Riley include Finley, Quinn, Rowan, Kai.
What names go well with Riley?
Irish names that pair well with Riley include Ryan, Liam, Aiden, Sean, Aidan.