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Ryan

Irish
"little king"
Pamela Redmond
By Pamela Redmond
Updated Mon Apr 22 2024

Ryan Origin and Meaning

The name Ryan is a boy's name of Irish origin meaning "little king".

Ryan’s use as a given name was inspired by the surname Ryan, a variation of the Irish O’Riain meaning "son of Rían." Rían is composed of the Irish-Gaelic elements rí, meaning "king" and an, a diminutive suffix. Ryan is considered a unisex name in the US, where variant spellings Ryann and Ryanne are also valid for girls.

Ryan has been one of the most popular Irish names in America for decades; it had been in the Top 20 since 1976, and dropped out in 2010 but still ranks highly, even though parents now have such a wide choice of Irish surnames, from Flynn to Finnigan, and newer Ry names like Ryder. Ryan (born Patrick) O'Neal first brought it to light in the mid-1960s, when parents saw it as a fresher and more spirited alternative to names like Brian and Kevin. In recent years, Ryan has taken off as a girl's name.

Several male marquee Ryans still keep the name in the spotlight—think Ryan Seacrest, Ryan Reynolds, Ryan Gosling and Ryan Philippe.

# 74 in the US

Ryan Rank in US Top 1000

# 280 on Nameberry

Ryan Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Ryan Popularity

Famous People Named Ryan

  • Ryan McCartanAmerican actor, singer and musician, part of the musical group 'The Girl And The Dreamcatcher' with Dove Cameron
  • Ryan FarishAmerican electronic musician
  • Ryan John SeacrestAmerican television host
  • (Matthew) Ryan PhilippeAmerican actor
  • Ryan Paul DelahoussayeAmerican musician
  • (George) Ryan Ross IIIAmerican musician
  • Ryan McGinleyAmerican photographer
  • Ryan O'Neal(born Charles Patrick Ryan O'Neal), American actor
  • Ryan Rodney ReynoldsCanadian actor
  • Ryan Thomas GoslingCanadian actor
  • Ryan KellyIrish singer
  • Ryan LochteAmerican swimmer
  • Ryan TannehillAmerican football player
  • Ryan FitzpatrickAmerican football player
  • Ryan Kwanten Australian actor
  • Ryan Paevey (born Ryan Jacob PaeveyVlieger), American model and actor
  • Ryan Allen ShecklerAmerican skateboarder
  • Ryan LaneAmerican Actor
  • Ryan James PinkstonAmerican actor
  • Ryan Nyquistprofessional BMX rider
  • Ryan Scott LeeAmerican actor
  • Ryan Earl MerrimanAmerican actor
  • (Ryan) Dallas CookAmerican musician
  • Ryan GallantAmerican pro skateboarder
  • Ryan CartwrightEnglish actor
  • Ryan BettyAmerican singer
  • Ryan TedderAmerican singer and songwriter
  • Ryan AdamsAmerican singer and songwriter
  • Ryan McLoughlinmember of Irish boyband HomeTown
  • Ryan KentAmerican child actor (twin brother of Hailey)
  • Ryan Higa aka nigahigaAmerican YouTuber
  • Ryan Fitzsimons aka LittleLizardGamingIrish YouTuber
  • Ryan TyackAustralian archer
  • Ryan HeldAmerican swimmer
  • Ryan MurphyAmerican swimmer
  • Ryan Joshua "Jeffrey" Metmember of band AJR
  • Ryan Christopher Shuckformer guitarist of Orgy, lead singer of Julien,K, guitarist of Dead by Sunrise
  • Ryan Burtformer drummer for Australian band The Amity Affliction
  • Ryan Bruce "Ryland" AdamsAmerican YouTube vlogger
  • Ryan BergaraBuzzFeed Unsolved Host
  • Ryan Otto CassataTransgender Musician
  • Ryan John Shilling (b. 2013)son of World Cup winner Amy Rodriguez

Ryan in Pop Culture

  • Ryan EvansThe High School Musical Trilogy
  • Ryan Atwoodcharacter from "The O.C"
  • Ryan WolfeCSI: Miami
  • Ryan Howardcharacter on US TV series "The Office"
  • Ryan Atkinscharacter from "Sims" series
  • Ryan Newmanfrom TV series "Wilfred" played by Elijah Wood
  • Ryan Walkerfrom movie "Boys and Girls"
  • Ryan Dunnefrom movie "Summer Catch"
  • Ryan Sinclaircharacter from "Doctor Who"
  • Ryan Kinkadethe MFE pilot in Voltron: Legendary Defender

Ryan in Nameberry Blog Posts