What does Faolan mean?
From the Irish 'faol' ('wolf') and the diminutive suffix '-an', meaning 'little wolf'. Borne by several early Irish saints; anglicised as Phelan or Whelan.
What does Ruairi mean?
Ruairí means “red king” in Irish.
Faolan vs Ruairi
Which is more popular?
Ruairi is more popular than Faolan today: about 17 US babies were given the name Ruairi in 2025, compared with 0 named Faolan.
| Faolan | Ruairi | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | little wolf | Red king |
| Origin | irish | Irish |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | FWAY-lawn | ROO-ree |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 0 | 1988 |
| Peak year | 2023 (23) | 2022 (21) |
| In 2025 | 0 | 17 |
| Trend | Rising | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Faolan
Ruairi
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Faolan | Ruairi |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 72 | 99 |
| 2010s | 100 | 91 |
| 2000s | 25 | 60 |
| 1990s | 0 | 33 |
| 1980s | 0 | 6 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Faolan or Ruairi more popular?
Ruairi is more popular than Faolan today: about 17 US babies were given the name Ruairi in 2025, compared with 0 named Faolan.
What is the difference between Faolan and Ruairi?
Faolan means little wolf (irish origin), while Ruairi means Red king (Irish origin).
Which name is older, Faolan or Ruairi?
In US records, Faolan first appears in 0 and Ruairi in 1988, so Faolan has the longer recorded history.