Thoughts about Riley?

My husband loves the name Riley for our little girl (Due early Dec). I think it's a great name, but I feel like it might be too common. It's important to me to give her something that will be different. What are your thoughts?

The only other name we've agreed on is Kennedy. I have a few others that I like, but he doesn't (Violet, Sammie, and Arizona).

Riley for girls is becoming increasingly popular and trendy in the US. Riley ranked at #39 in 2008 and if you add in the Rylee (#116) and Rylie (#313) spellings that would push the name up to #15.

In my opinion it looks set to be the new Madison in the US.

I agree that it definitely seems to be getting more popular. Check to see how popular it is in your state, it may be a lot more or a lot less popular. Do you like Rhiannon? I think it's similar to Riley but it's a lot less common.

I put together a list of other names that I thought you may like:

Sinclair
Brynn
Kendall
Emerson
Delaney
Bryony
Regan
Emery
Mallory
Sailor
Ainsley
Briar
Greer
Isla
Shea
Calla
Adair
Briallen
Carys
Marine
Blair
Harper
Rory
Quinn
Flanna
Aislinn
Nola
Maeve
Jacqueline
Freya
Remy
Bellamy

is this your first child? There are soooo many Riley and Kennedy's of both sex and with crazy spellings. This name is super trendy and dated, in my opinion. I suggest you just keep going through names and see if anything else sticks. If you post some names that your hubby likes even if you hate them, we would give suggestions of similar names that YOU may like.
I really like Arizona. Maybe you can swing it as a middle name?

I second the posts about Riley being trendy and popular. Kennedy is less popular, but I personally and unfortunately can't get past the meaning (deformed head).

You may also like:

Aveline
Bronwyn
Brigid
Carlin
Clancy
Connelly
Darby
Evaleen
Fiona
Flannery
Flynn
Kellan
Kirby
Kerrigan
Maeve (this may have been suggested...I love it!)
Quincy
Rosaleen
Rowan
Sheridan
Sloane
Tierney
Tatum

Non-Irish names:

Arden
Auden
Ashby
Darcy
Emery
Ellery
Hadley
Isaly
Linden
Piper
Romilly (French name....Has Riley's feel to me...Nickname Romy)
Sawyer
Willow
Waverly
Willoughby

Good luck! :-)

I know a lot of Riley's (various spellings) and Kennedy's (but a lot more Riley's). And its not only really popular now, its been really popular for several years now so its probably on its way to being dated. When my daughter was born 6 years ago, the girls were all Riley's and Olivia's. Then the Isabella's came along, and now its Ava and Ruby and Lucy . . . at least where we are. Now this may not bother you, in which case you should pick the name you really love. I know lots of people that know the name they've chosen is in the top five, but choose it anyway . . . that's up to you!

I personally prefer Kennedy to Riley. I know 4 children named Riley under the age of 6. 2 boys and 2 girls. Its a bit confusing. I also know 5 dogs named Riley. Seriously. When we adopted our second dog, he came with the name Riley, but we had to change it because there were, not kidding, 3 other dogs within a 3 house radius named Riley.

I kinda like Riley, but for a boy. But it's a lot more popular for girls...

I like the suggestions others have made but wanted to add one more:

Regan or Reagan

Thanks to all of you for the thoughtful reply posts and for giving suggestions on similar names! This is our first child. I do care how dated the name might end up being, but on the other hand if I hear "the" name then it probably would not matter. :) I want to share our lists so you can share thoughts. Big ringlet curls run in the family (including both of us) so we expect she'll have it too (if it helps to picture the name).

Mine:
Kennedy
Reese - on the fence
Paisley
Drew
Arizona
Scarlett
Harley - Everyone says it sounds trashy, but I think I can't get past it.
Arielle
Eleanor
River
Harper
Reagan - We have a close friend who named her daughter Reagan, should we not consider because of this?
Darcy
Kendall
Lainey

His:
Riley
Morgan
Ryann
Kennedy


Thanks again!