The nameRyan
Ryan is a boy's name of Irish origin, first a family name, often read as "little king". It was hugely popular in the English-speaking world from the 1970s.
- Boy's name
- Irish
Meaning
Ryan comes from the Irish family name Ó Riain, "descendant of Rian". Rian is often linked to rí, "king", giving "little king", but this reading is not certain.
Origin
Irish. Ryan was a surname before becoming a first name in the 20th century.
History
Ryan O'Neal, star of Love Story (1970), helped it spread. It reached the top 20 in the United States and the top 10 in England and Wales in the 1990s and 2000s.
Did you know?
- Saving Private Ryan won five Oscars, including Best Director for Steven Spielberg.
- Ryan Giggs won thirteen Premier League titles with Manchester United, a record.
Famous people named Ryan
- Ryan Gosling, actor
- Ryan Reynolds, actor
- Ryan Giggs, footballer
- Ryan O'Neal, actor
Popularity of the name Ryan
Ryan in the United States
Ryan was most popular in the United States in the 1980s, with 285,131 births over the decade, 29% of all recorded babies named Ryan. Its rise began around 1971, and it peaked in 1985. Half of all babies named Ryan in the United States were born before 1991. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 5,013 births a year on average, against 8,270 in the five years before.
Ryan in the United Kingdom
Ryan was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 39,277 births over the decade, 51% of all recorded babies named Ryan. Half of all babies named Ryan in the United Kingdom were born before 2004. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 542 births a year on average, against 894 in the five years before.
Ryan in Ireland
Ryan in France
Ryan in Belgium
Ryan in Switzerland
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Ryan
Names from the same generation as Ryan, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Ryan? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Ryan with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Ryan side by side with the name of your choice.
Ryan in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ryan mean?
Ryan comes from the Irish family name Ó Riain, "descendant of Rian". Rian is often linked to rí, "king", giving "little king", but this reading is not certain.
What is the origin of the name Ryan?
Irish. Ryan was a surname before becoming a first name in the 20th century.
Is Ryan a girl's or a boy's name?
Ryan is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Ryan?
In 2024, Ryan was the 87th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 3,892 births.
What are the variants of the name Ryan?
Variants and related names of Ryan include Ryane.
What are good sibling names for Ryan?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Madison, Emily, Anna and Julia for a sister, Andrew, Kevin, Jonathan and Christian for a brother.
Who are famous people named Ryan?
Ryan Gosling, actor; Ryan Reynolds, actor; Ryan Giggs, footballer; Ryan O'Neal, actor.