Ryan: Name Meaning, Origin, and Popularity

Pronunciation: re-e-a-hn
Origin: Ireland
gender-male

Emmy Samtani

Emmy Samtani

Emmy is the founder of Kiindred and mother to 3 little ones. Over the last 4 years, she has worked with some of the most credible experts in the parenting space and is a keen contributor on all things parenthood.
Updated on Apr 14, 2025 · 2 mins read
Region Origin: Europe
Meaning: Little king

Ryan is a gender-neutral given name of Irish origin, traditionally used for males but increasingly given to both boys and girls since the 1970s. The name comes from the Irish surname Ryan, which in turn is derived from the Old Irish name Rían. The meaning of Ryan is often translated as "little king", however, the original meaning of the name is unknown. The name Ryan has gained popularity in various countries. In Ireland, it ranked at No. 10 in 2005 and No. 14 in 2006, with the Irish spellings Rian and Rían overtaking Ryan in popularity by 2021. In Scotland, Ryan was the most popular name for newborn boys from 1994 to 1998. In Northern Ireland, Ryan did not appear in the top ten most common male names for newborns in 1975 but was in the top five from 2000 to 2003.

Ryan Name Popularity Data

chat-overall Ryan is currently #59 in the popularity of the name rankings.
gender-female Boy: Ryan is currently #59 on Kiindred Boy Names
gender-male Overall Unique: Ryan is currently #57 on Kiindred Unique Names
gender-male Boy Unique: Ryan is currently #57 on Kiindred Boy Unique Names

Popularity Trend Chart

Famous People Named Ryan

This section lists notable individuals and public figures named Ryan, showcasing their achievements and contributions in various fields.

  • Ryan Reynolds: Ryan Reynolds is a Canadian-American actor and producer known for his roles in "Deadpool," "Green Lantern," and "The Proposal."
  • Ryan Gosling: Ryan Gosling is a Canadian actor and musician known for his roles in "La La Land," "The Notebook," and "Blade Runner 2049."
  • Ryan Seacrest: Ryan Seacrest is an American television and radio host known for hosting "American Idol" and "Live with Kelly and Ryan."
  • Ryan Phillippe: Ryan Phillippe is an American actor known for his roles in "Cruel Intentions," "I Know What You Did Last Summer," and "Shooter."
  • Ryan Giggs: Ryan Giggs is a Welsh former professional footballer and manager, known for his long career with Manchester United.

 

Wikipedia, NSW Births Deaths and Marriages, QLD Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages, WA Registry of Births, SA Registry of Births, VIC Registry of Births, Social Security Administration

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