Ryan

Irish

"little king"

Updated Mon Sep 02 2024

Show me Ryan as a girl's name →

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.

# 83 in the US

Ryan Rank in US Top 1000

# 204 on Nameberry

Ryan Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Ryan Popularity

83US2023
204Nameberry2024
8Unisex2022
41Canada2022
135Future2028
106England2021
117Scotland2023
33Ireland2023
62Australia2023
57New Zealand2023
268Germany2016
95Netherlands2023
127Switzerland2023

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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