Baby Names Ryan Name Meaning By Alex Vance linkedin Alex Vance is a freelance writer covering topics ranging from pregnancy and parenting to health and wellness. Learn about our editorial process Alex Vance Published on April 30, 2021 Print Westend61 / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents What Does Ryan Mean? How Popular Is the Name Ryan? Name Variations Similar Names Suggested Sibling Names Famous People Named Ryan What Does Ryan Mean? Ryan is a classic Irish last name that has become a popular first name for both boys and girls. Ryan comes from the Gaelic words righ and an, which together mean "little king." It's also derived from the Irish surname O'Riain. Ryan was initially used mostly for baby boys but has become increasingly popular for girls as well. Origin: Ryan is an Irish name that comes from the Gaelic words righ and an, which together mean "little king." It's also derived from the Irish surname O'Riain. Gender: While Ryan used to be reserved for boys, it has recently become a popular gender-neutral option. Pronunciation: ry-an Although many baby names are separated by gender, Verywell Family believes that sex does not need to play a role in your name selection process. It’s important to select a name that you feel suits your new baby the best. How Popular Is the Name Ryan? Although the name Ryan has never broken into the top 10 U.S. names, it's had a solid run as a moderately popular option. According to the Social Security Administration, Ryan made it into the top 20 names for boys in 1976, staying between the 11th and 20th spot for 33 years. (Its most popular year was 1991.) In 2010, it slipped to the 23rd spot, and its ranking has steadily declined since then. The latest data from 2019 has Ryan sitting at number 54 for boys and number 399 for girls. Actors Ryan Reynolds and Ryan Gosling have most likely played a role in the name's continued popularity, along with characters from well-known TV shows like "The O.C." and "The Office." Name Variations Variations of the name Ryan include: Rayan (Arabic) Rian (Gaelic) Rion (Gaelic) Ryann (Irish) Ryen (Gaelic) Ryne (Irish, American) Ryon (Gaelic) Similar Names Other popular names for those who like Ryan are: Avery Blake Dylan Evan Harper Kyle Parker Peyton Quinn Riley Other gender-neutral names starting with R: Ramsay Reagan Reese Reid Remy Robin Rory Rumi Other Irish names for boys and girls: Brady Connor Finley Finn Fiona Keira Kylie Peyton Ronan Rowan Sloane Suggested Sibling Names Popular sibling names for Ryan include: Devon Dylan Emily Emma Liam Olivia Reid River Robbie Ruby Tyler Famous People Named Ryan Ryan Gosling, Canadian actor known for starring in the movies "The Notebook" and "La La Land" Ryan Newman, NASCAR driver Ryan Phillippe, American actor best known for his role in the movie "Cruel Intentions" Ryan Reynolds, Canadian-American actor known for his movie roles in "Van Wilder" and Marvel's "Deadpool" Ryan Seacrest, American media personality best known for hosting "American Idol" More Baby Names Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options: Top 1,000 Baby Boy Names in the U.S. Top 1,000 Baby Girl Names in the U.S. 100 Irish Baby Names Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Social Security Administration. Popularity of Name Ryan. Updated 2019.