Riley (given name) explained

Riley
Gender:Unisex
Language origin:Old English, Irish
Related Names:Reilly, Rileigh, Rylee, Ryleigh, Rylie

Riley is a transferred use of an English surname derived from Old English ryge ‘rye’ + lēah ‘wood’, ‘clearing’.[1] [2]

It is also derived from the Irish surname O'Reilly, which originated from the Irish name Raghallach, of unknown meaning. [3]

Regional variations

Europe

In the United Kingdom, it is still primarily a boy's name, and was the 40th most popular name for boys in 2016.[4]

United States

Until the 1990s and early 2000s, Riley was primarily a boy's name in the United States. However, it has become a popular name for girls in the United States and remains in wide use there for girls, with many variant spellings also in use, including Reiley, Reilly, Reily, Rhilee, Rhiley, Rhylee, Rhylei, Rhyleigh, Rhyley, Rhyli, Rhylie, Rielee, Rilee, Rileigh, Rilie, Ryelee, Rylea, Rylee, Rylei, Ryleigh, Ryley, Ryli, Rylie, Ryliee, and Ryliegh. It also remains a well-used name there for boys, also with variant spellings.[5] [6]

Notable people with the given name include

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

R

S

T

U

V

W

Y

Fictional characters

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Riley - given name origin.
  2. Book: Hanks. Patrick. Hardcastle. Kate . Hodges. Flavia. 2006. Oxford Dictionary of First Names. Oxford University Press . 231. 0-19-861060-2.
  3. Book: Hanks. Patrick. Hardcastle. Kate . Hodges. Flavia. 2006. Oxford Dictionary of First Names. Oxford University Press . 231. 0-19-861060-2.
  4. News: Sep 20, 2017. Olivia and Oliver were 2016's top baby names in England and Wales. The Guardian . www.theguardian.com. Aug 12, 2019 . Busby . Mattha .
  5. Web site: Popular Baby Names.
  6. Web site: Haileigh and Beighleigh and Paisleigh, oh my! . Rauwerda . Anne . 10 November 2021 . michigandaily.com . Michigan Daily . 10 January 2023 .