Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Ryan
BoyIrish· “little king”
- Meaning
- little king
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- RY-uhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #99
- US babies 2025
- 3,532
- Best rank
- #11 (1986)
- Peak year
- 1985
Meaning and origin of Ryan
Ryan is an Irish name that is usually said to mean “little king”.
Ryan comes from the Irish surname Ó Riain, "descendant of Rian". The personal name Rian is often explained as "little king", from rí, "king", though some scholars consider its meaning uncertain. As a surname it is among the most common in Ireland. It entered first-name use in the twentieth century and spread widely through the English-speaking world, especially the United States, helped along by actor Ryan O'Neal. Today it feels friendly, sporty and familiar. Ryan is used mostly for boys, with occasional use for girls, and it pairs easily with both classic and modern middle names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Ryen, Ryon, Rion.
Popularity over time
Ryan first appears in US Social Security records in 1906. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 81 different years, starting in 1906. Its best national rank was #11 in 1986, and the most babies received it in 1985, when 29,905 were named Ryan. In 2025, 3,532 babies were named Ryan, and it ranked #99 nationally. That is 59% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,580 in 1920, #690 in 1950, #15 in 1980, #13 in 2000, #23 in 2010, and #99 in 2025. Of the 964,123 US boys named Ryan since records began, 29% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 241,248 babies. Since 2010, 116,965 more have been named Ryan.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Adam, Daniel, Dustin, and Christopher.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ryan ranked highest in New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | #44 | 185 |
| New York | #45 | 334 |
| Massachusetts | #49 | 117 |
| Connecticut | #52 | 61 |
| New Hampshire | #64 | 23 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 94% of US babies named Ryan over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Ryan is usually pronounced RY-uhn, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with R and ends in “-an”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Ryen, Ryon, and Rion.
Middle names for Ryan
A few middle names that flow with Ryan: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ryan
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Lists that include Ryan
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ryan mean?
Ryan is an Irish name that is usually said to mean “little king”.
What is the origin of the name Ryan?
Ryan has Irish roots. Ryan comes from the Irish surname Ó Riain, "descendant of Rian".
Is Ryan a popular name?
Yes. Ryan ranked #99 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Ryan a boy or girl name?
Ryan is mainly a boy's name. About 94% of US babies named Ryan over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Ryan?
Ryan is usually pronounced RY-uhn. 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