Riley Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, Girl Names Like Riley

Riley Name Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: ry-lee
See what 27 people think about Riley

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Riley Name Meaning

A perky name with surname roots, Riley is a derivative of the English name Reilly. She’s akin to chart climbers Avery and Sadie with her peppy -ee ending, keeping her light and airy. At the same time she’s intensely Irish like Kerry and Rory.

Riley is undoubtedly modern, standing apart from the vintage classics making a comeback and the timeless chart rulers that have been around for decades. She’s a little girl through and through, but she isn’t afraid to get messy if it means having some fun. Easygoing and approachable, Riley’s got the girl-next-door appeal that’s hard to find but a treasure once found. Everyone could know a Riley, whether she’s captain of the cheerleading squad or the debate team captain.

Her unisex style mirrors Quinn and Parker while her surname history are on-trend with Harper and Madison. Rhyming twins Miley and Kylie keep her company on the charts, but she’s heads above them when it comes to popularity.

Different spellings include Rylie, Ryleigh, and Rilee while variations of the name like Rylan have been catching on as well. Similar feeling R names include Remi, Ruby, and Romy while Lucy, Zoe, and Ellie have the same short, spunky feel.

Riley Name Popularity

How popular is the name Riley? Here’s everything we know.

Year	Rank	# Births	% Births
1910	—	0	0%
1911	—	0	0%
1912	—	0	0%
1913	—	0	0%
1914	—	0	0%
1915	—	0	0%
1916	—	0	0%
1917	—	0	0%
1918	—	0	0%
1919	—	0	0%
1920	—	0	0%
1921	—	0	0%
1922	—	0	0%
1923	—	0	0%
1924	—	0	0%
1925	—	0	0%
1926	—	0	0%
1927	—	0	0%
1928	—	0	0%
1929	—	0	0%
1930	—	0	0%
1931	—	0	0%
1932	—	0	0%
1933	—	0	0%
1934	—	0	0%
1935	—	0	0%
1936	—	0	0%
1937	—	0	0%
1938	—	0	0%
1939	—	0	0%
1940	—	0	0%
1941	—	0	0%
1942	—	0	0%
1943	—	0	0%
1944	—	0	0%
1945	—	0	0%
1946	—	0	0%
1947	—	0	0%
1948	—	0	0%
1949	—	0	0%
1950	—	0	0%
1951	—	0	0%
1952	—	0	0%
1953	—	0	0%
1954	—	0	0%
1955	—	0	0%
1956	—	0	0%
1957	—	0	0%
1958	—	0	0%
1959	—	0	0%
1960	—	0	0%
1961	—	0	0%
1962	—	0	0%
1963	—	0	0%
1964	—	0	0%
1965	—	0	0%
1966	—	0	0%
1967	—	0	0%
1968	—	0	0%
1969	—	0	0%
1970	—	0	0%
1971	—	0	0%
1972	—	0	0%
1973	—	0	0%
1974	—	0	0%
1975	—	0	0%
1976	—	0	0%
1977	—	0	0%
1978	—	0	0%
1979	—	0	0%
1980	—	0	0%
1981	—	0	0%
1982	—	0	0%
1983	—	0	0%
1984	—	0	0%
1985	1,995	18	0.0012%
1986	1,521	37	0.0025%
1987	1,534	39	0.0026%
1988	1,368	53	0.0034%
1989	1,123	98	0.0061%
1990	869	176	0.0106%
1991	728	244	0.015%
1992	558	377	0.0236%
1993	456	510	0.0327%
1994	348	726	0.0473%
1995	287	938	0.0622%
1996	242	1,129	0.0754%
1997	184	1,641	0.111%
1998	166	1,863	0.1245%
1999	137	2,312	0.1544%
2000	131	2,542	0.1664%
2001	106	3,041	0.2018%
2002	77	3,905	0.2606%
2003	72	4,242	0.2788%
2004	58	4,982	0.3269%
2005	54	5,124	0.3351%
2006	56	5,055	0.3228%
2007	52	5,208	0.3301%
2008	39	5,768	0.3732%
2009	38	5,629	0.3766%
2010	40	5,537	0.3842%
2011	47	5,031	0.3531%
2012	47	4,821	0.3383%
2013	45	4,931	0.3463%
2014	47	4,786	0.3285%
2015	35	5,726	0.3935%
2016	22	7,131	0.4946%
2017	25	6,343	0.4545%
2018	28	5,976	0.435%
2019	30	5,676	0.4193%
2020	33	5,218	0.4099%
2021	39	4,784	0.3914%
2022	39	4,876	0.3696%

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Wyoming (WY)

Data via SSA.gov.

Names Like Riley

If you like Riley, you’ll love these other names like Riley.

What names are variants of Riley?

Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name Riley.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Reilley	Courageous	Irish
Reilly	Courageous	Irish
Rilee	Courageous	Irish
Rileigh	Courageous	Irish
Rylee	Rye clearing	Irish
Ryley	Courageous	Irish

What names sound like Riley?

If you like how Riley sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Riley.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Kaylee	Pure	English
Kylie	Boomerang	Aboriginal
Miley	Smiley	American
Raleigh	Roe deer's meadow	English

What names are similar to Riley?

Find a name that’s like Riley, but just a little bit different.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Ava	To live	Latin
Avery	Elf counsel	English
Bella	Beautiful one	Italian
Callie	Beautiful one	Greek

Chloe	Green sprout	Greek
Dakota	Friend and ally	Native American
Ellie	Shortened form of El- names	English
Gemma	Precious stone	Italian
Harper	Harp Player	English
Madison	Son of Maud	English

Lists With Riley

Find inspiration in these baby girl name lists featuring the name Riley.

Siblings of Riley

Mamas with kids named Riley also have kids with these names.

Name	Meaning	Origin	Popularity	Other Gender
Corbin	Raven	English
Aria	Vocal solo	English

Share Your Thoughts

27 Comments

Katie Feb 11 at 9:54 am

I’ve always loved the name Riley for a girl – I feel like it’s somewhat rare but also not eccentric!

Reply
Riley Jun 13 at 7:39 pm

Hi im Riley and im scotish my name is spelt the same in English more than 10 languages! I was born beffore inside out was created and i still love my name

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- Riley Jun 18 at 7:07 pm
  
  My name is Riley and I love my name I used to hate it because I thought I was tho ONLY girl with my name but now I’m so proud of it
  
  Reply
- corimyah Sep 7 at 4:39 pm
  
  corimyah
  
  Reply
Brittany Oct 19 at 10:58 pm

My husband and I spent my entire pregnancy going back and forth discussing names and we couldn’t agree on one. One day my husband went fishing with a young kid that my mother (a teacher) had in school – his name is Riley. On the way home from fishing he said “I like the name Riley” and I was in shock because it’s the first name that we both liked. To me Riley the girl is laid back but spunky… and OH so smily!!! Our baby girl is full of personality, smiles constantly and loves to explore. I couldn’t picture her as anything other than Riley. It also goes along nicely with her middle name Bea (after my Grandma Beatrice) who was also a very spunky lady full of personality.

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Riley Oct 16 at 8:36 am

I would love my name if it weren’t for the nicknames I ended up with! ‘Ry’ and ‘Ryry’ are the most embarrassing nicknames! But if I get my dream job as a writer it will be unique and easy to remember for those who like me (if there will be any!).

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Shelly Jun 4 at 9:10 am

First heard it in the movie Inside Out and we really liked it. We already knew Rose would be the middle name and we liked the alliteration.

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Andrea Sep 12 at 5:35 pm

Gma’s maiden name that just passed right before her birth.

Dislike that everyone thinks she has a boys name

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Patricia Mar 27 at 11:45 am

Its cute and unisex

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- Sean Dec 27 at 12:36 pm
  
  It’s not unisex just because you say it is. It’s a surname.
  
  Reply
Kelsey Mar 19 at 5:32 pm

It means valiant. I knew this girl was going to be strong and courageous do this name fits her so well! Plus, it’s not super common which I appreciate!

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Riley Jan 19 at 1:09 pm

My name is Riley, when my parents named me almost none was named Riley, but suddenly, everywhere I go there is a few Rileys. I still love my name, and would never change it.

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Audience Jul 19 at 8:29 pm

Just loved the name

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Stephanie Jun 16 at 7:36 pm

My husband gave her first name. I let my oldest daughter chose her middle name which they both share( Elizabeth)

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Kim Cole Jun 7 at 10:28 am

I think it is a beautiful name for a girl and I just love it wouldn’t want any other name for her

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Alexandria Mar 25 at 8:44 am

I love her name Riley Nevada. I wish I would have spelled it a little different (rylie). Play with the spelling you might find the way you love it.

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Samanta Jan 2 at 11:16 am

I chose the name Riley because I was looking for a name that meant courageous.

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Jamie Oct 20 at 2:12 pm

How she got her name was because of me I was one of the first babies to survive liver cancer . Riley hospital saved my life!!! I’m forever grateful for them … I was always told I wouldn’t be able to have kids now I have two ?? there both my miracle babies and had c section with both I feel truly blessed and glad to have both my girls wouldn’t have it any other way !! That’s how I got Riley & Gracie name is cause she is a grace of God ????????? #LoveMyFamily #LoveTheMomLife

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- Johnny Feb 15 at 3:26 pm
  
  How sweet!! Blessings to you and your family??
  
  Reply
- Vereya Sharashkina Jan 9 at 12:12 pm
  
  Oh, I am happy for you! I love the name Riley too. Blessings!
  
  Reply
Jamie rasnake Sep 13 at 9:25 am

I want a name that u dont hear much. So thats when i came up with riley

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jojo Sep 11 at 8:38 pm

I grew up with a unique name and wanted the same for my daughter. My husbands middle name is Riley and it was his grandmothers maiden name as well

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Maya Sep 9 at 5:05 pm

I just love the name and the fact it can be for a boy or a girl. It also means ‘carefree and that’s what I want my child to be as she grows.

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D'Ayrra Phillips Aug 18 at 7:41 am

Actually my mother picked the name Riley. She was watching hallmark and a movie that she was watching a lady name was Riley. She also chose that name because it was simple and not to flamboyant

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Samanta Jul 11 at 10:14 am

I chose the name Riley because I was originally looking for a name that means warrior but didn’t like them so when I looked for courage or courageous Riley came up meaning valiant which is a synonym for courage. I like it because we don’t know anyone named Riley and our intent is for her to be brave and courageous. Since having her I can see she will definitely be that and more.

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- Riley Oct 16 at 8:38 am
  
  My mom chose my name because she thought it meant stubborn, and I am very, very stubborn!
  
  Reply
Sara Jun 9 at 10:01 am

My husband and I both loved the name Riley before we even got pregnant. We watched Pixar’s ‘Inside Out’ and that’s the name of the girl in it. After the movie we decided Riley was a good baby name and years later, when we found out we were having a girl, we were set.

I love the name because it’s not overly cutesie. It means valiant and courageous, and is a strong, sturdy name.

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Riley