Riley is a unisex given name which originated from an English surname. The name is derived from the Old English words "ryge" meaning "rye" and "leah" meaning "clearing" or "meadow". It was originally used as a surname to refer to someone who lived near a clearing where rye was grown. In recent years, Riley has become a popular first name for both boys and girls, particularly in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Riley rank report (US ranking for newborns 2021)
- Rank 33. Isla
- Rank 34. Grace
- Rank 35. Violet
- Rank 36. Aurora
- Rank 37. Riley
- Rank 38. Zoey
- Rank 39. Willow
- Rank 40. Emilia
- Rank 41. Stella
Nicknames for Riley
| Ry | /raɪ/ | Short and sweet version of the name |
| Riles | /raɪlz/ | A playful and informal nickname |
| Ri-Ri | /riː-riː/ | A cute and affectionate nickname |
| Ry-guy | /raɪ-gaɪ/ | A nickname that emphasizes masculinity or friendship |
| Ry-bear | /raɪ-bɛr/ | A cute and cuddly nickname |
| Ry-dog | /raɪ-dɔɡ/ | A nickname that emphasizes loyalty or playfulness |
| Ri-lee | /riː-liː/ | A variation of the name that can be used as a nickname. |
Famous people named Riley
| Riley Keough | Actress | Granddaughter of Elvis Presley |
| Riley Reid | Adult film actress | Award-winning performer |
| Riley Cooper | American football player | Former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver |
| Riley Nash | Ice hockey player | Plays for the Columbus Blue Jackets |
| Riley Green | Country music singer | Known for hit songs "There Was This Girl" and "I Wish Grandpas Never Died |
| Riley B. King | Blues musician | Better known as B.B. King |
| Riley Stearns | Film director | Known for the movie "Faults |
| Riley Smith | Actor | Appeared in "90210" and "Nashville |
| Riley Matthews | Fictional character | Main character in the TV series "Girl Meets World |
| Riley Shepard | Professional wrestler | Known as "Riley Shepard" or "Shotzi Blackheart" in WWE |
Fictional character called Riley from pop culture
| Riley Anderson | Inside Out | The main character in the Pixar film Inside Out, Riley is an 11-year-old girl who moves to San Francisco and struggles to adjust to her new life. |
| Riley Matthews | Girl Meets World | The main character in the Disney Channel series Girl Meets World, Riley is the daughter of Cory and Topanga and navigates life as a middle school student. |
| Riley Finn | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | A recurring character in the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Riley is a member of the Initiative, a government organization that studies and fights demons. |
| Riley Freeman | The Boondocks | One of the main characters in the animated series The Boondocks, Riley is the younger brother of Huey and is known for his brash and impulsive personality. |
| Riley Blue | Sense8 | One of the eight main characters in the Netflix series Sense8, Riley is a DJ and musician who is haunted by her past and struggles with drug addiction. |
| Riley Poole | National Treasure | A supporting character in the National Treasure film series, Riley is a computer expert who helps the protagonist Benjamin Gates in his quest to find historical artifacts. |
| Riley Stavros | Degrassi: The Next Generation | A recurring character in the TV series Degrassi: The Next Generation, Riley is a closeted gay student who struggles to come out to his friends and family. |
Frequently Asked Questions about Riley
| What is the origin of the name Riley? | The name Riley is of Irish origin. |
| What does the name Riley mean? | The name Riley means 'valiant' or 'courageous'. |
| Is Riley a unisex name? | Yes, Riley is considered a unisex name. |
| What are some famous people with the name Riley? | Famous people with the name Riley include actress Riley Keough and football player Riley Ridley. |
| Is Riley a popular name? | Yes, Riley has been a popular name in recent years in the United States. |
| What are some variations of the name Riley? | Variations of the name Riley include Rylee, Ryleigh, and Rylie. |