Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Riley
UnisexEnglish, Old English· “rye clearing”
- Meaning
- rye clearing
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- RY-lee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #48
- US babies 2025
- 4,441
- Best rank
- #22 (2016)
- Peak year
- 2016
Meaning and origin of Riley
Riley is an English and Old English name that is usually said to mean “rye clearing”.
Riley has two separate sources. In England it comes from a surname based on a place name meaning "rye clearing", from the Old English ryge, "rye", and leah, "clearing". In Ireland it is a form of the surname Reilly, from Ó Raghallaigh, "descendant of Raghallach", a personal name of uncertain meaning. The phrase "the life of Riley", meaning an easy and carefree existence, dates to the early twentieth century. As a first name Riley was mostly given to boys at first, but it has become a popular unisex choice, and in the United States it is now more often chosen for girls. It sounds bright and cheerful.
Other spellings with the same sound: Reilly, Ryley.
Famous parents who chose Riley: Meghan Trainor and Daryl Sabara (2021). More celebrity baby names
Popularity over time
Riley first appears in US Social Security records in 1923. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 36 different years, starting in 1990. Its best national rank was #22 in 2016, the same year it reached its highest count of 7,159 babies. In 2025, 4,441 babies were named Riley, and it ranked #48 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #4,271 in 1980, #131 in 2000, #40 in 2010, and #48 in 2025. Of the 141,960 US girls named Riley since records began, 40% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 45,533 babies.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Sawyer and Quinn.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Riley ranked highest in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | #22 | 231 |
| Rhode Island | #24 | 22 |
| Connecticut | #25 | 73 |
| Kentucky | #27 | 94 |
| Oregon | #27 | 68 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Riley is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 69% of US babies named Riley were girls and 31% were boys.
Riley is usually pronounced RY-lee, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with R and ends in “-ey”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Reilly and Ryley.
Middle names for Riley
A few middle names that flow with Riley: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Riley
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Lists that include Riley
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Riley mean?
Riley is an English and Old English name that is usually said to mean “rye clearing”.
What is the origin of the name Riley?
Riley has English, Old English, and Irish roots. Riley has two separate sources.
Is Riley a popular name?
Yes. Riley ranked #48 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Riley a boy or girl name?
Riley is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 69% of US babies named Riley were girls and 31% were boys.
How do you pronounce Riley?
Riley is usually pronounced RY-lee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings