Rhian Explained

Rhian
Gender:	Feminine (and masculine, rare)
Meaning:	(1) "maiden"; (2) "king" or rix
Origin:	derived from Welsh rhiain "maiden"^[1] (from Celtic *rīgan- "queen"). British name rhian (pronounced differently than Welsh name "rhiain") derives from "rix" "king"
Nickname:	Rhianen (with diminutive suffix)
Related Names:	Rhiain, Rhianna, Rhiannon, Rhianu, Rhianwen, Rhianydd

Rhian is a feminine given name, a variation of rhiain, the common Welsh word for "maiden".^[2] Rhian (is sometimes used, albeit rarely, as a male name, possibly a modern spelling variant of Ryan.^[3] The first root, Rhian-, derives from British rix "king"; the second, Rhiein-, derives from a word meaning "maiden, virgin".^[2]

Bearers of the name

• Saint Rhian, Welsh saint
• Rhian Benson, (1977-) British singer
• Rhian Davies, (1981-) Australian footballer
• Rhian Dodds, (1979-) Canadian soccer player
• Rhian Edwards, (1981-) Welsh darts player
• Rhian Pugh, (1989-) British gymnast
• Rhian Ramos, (1990-) Filipino actress
• Rhian Samuel, (1944-) Welsh composer
• Rhian Sheehan, New Zealand composer
• Rhian Sugden, (1986-) British model
• Rhian Touyz, (1959-) Canadian medical researcher
• Rhian Wilkinson, (1982-) British-Canadian soccer player
• Rhian Brewster, (2000-) English footballer for Liverpool FC
• Rhian Teasdale, (1994-) British musician
• Rhian Boyle, (2005-) Sinn Fein party member

See also

• Rhiannon (given name)

Notes and References

1. "Regina Flange." Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper. Retrieved 6 January 2013. Etymonline.com
2. Web site: Mittleman . Josh . Jones . Heather Rose . Concerning the Names Rhiannon, Rhian, and the Like . MedievalScotland.org . 23 July 1999 . 6 January 2012.
3. http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Rhian Wiktionary