Riley is a name of Irish origin, meaning "valorous" or "courageous." It comes from the Irish surname Ó Raghallaigh, which was derived from the word "rioghlach," meaning "fearless." The name Riley has been used as both a given name and a surname for centuries.
The name Riley first appeared in Ireland during the Middle Ages. It was originally a surname, given to people of Irish descent who were believed to be brave and fearless. Over time, the name began to be used as a given name for boys and girls alike.
Today, Riley is a popular choice for both baby boys and girls in English-speaking countries around the world. According to data from the Social Security Administration, Riley was the 37th most popular girl's name and the 104th most popular boy's name in the United States in 2020.
Despite its popularity today, Riley remains a unique and distinctive name with deep roots in Irish history. Its meaning of "valorous" or "courageous" makes it an excellent choice for parents looking for a strong and meaningful name for their child.
The name Rieley has seen varied popularity over the years in the United States, with a total of 203 births recorded between 1996 and 2016.
The peak years for the name were 2003 and 2005, with 18 and 21 births respectively. This suggests that during these years, the name Rieley was particularly trendy among parents choosing names for their newborns.
However, the popularity of the name has been quite fluctuating over time. For instance, there were only 6 births recorded in both 2015 and 2016, indicating a significant decrease in its usage during these years compared to the peak years.
Despite this volatility, it's clear that Rieley has remained a distinctive and recognizable name choice for parents across the United States over the past two decades.