| Riley | Leannan | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Valiant; rye clearing | Lover, sweetheart |
| Origin | Irish | irish |
| Gender | Unisex | Unisex |
| Pronunciation | RY-lee | LAN-awn |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| Trend | Steady | — |
| Decade | Riley | Leannan |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 29,219 | 0 |
| 2010s | 56,150 | 0 |
| 2000s | 45,533 | 0 |
| 1990s | 10,234 | 0 |
| 1980s | 680 | 0 |
| 1970s | 72 | 0 |
| 1960s | 11 | 0 |
| 1950s | 18 | 0 |
| 1940s | 21 | 0 |
| 1930s | 11 | 0 |
| 1920s | 11 | 0 |
Riley has two strands: the Irish Ó Raghallaigh, linked to “valiant” or “courageous,” and an English place name meaning “rye clearing.”
From the Irish and Scottish Gaelic leannan (leannán) 'lover, sweetheart, darling', a diminutive of leann 'affection, love'. Familiar from the folklore figure leannan sidhe, the fairy lover.
Riley means Valiant; rye clearing (Irish origin), while Leannan means Lover, sweetheart (irish origin).