Rylei
About Rylei
Rylei is a modern feminine name that represents the contemporary trend of creative spellings for traditional names. It appears to be a variation of Riley, which originated as an Irish surname meaning 'valiant' or 'courageous.' The distinctive 'ei' ending gives this version a softer, more feminine appearance while maintaining the same pronunciation. This spelling variant gained popularity in the early 2000s as part of the trend toward unique name spellings and the rising popularity of Riley for girls. The name carries associations with strength and spirit, while its uncommon spelling offers individuality. Popular in North America, Rylei appeals to parents seeking names that balance familiarity with distinctiveness, fitting the pattern of surname-to-first-name transitions that characterize many contemporary naming choices.
Pronounced RY-lee.
As of October 2026, Rylei ranked #4532 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #2252 in 2018.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #2,731 | 64 | 35.8 |
| 2015 | #2,520 | 72 | 40.3 |
| 2016 | #2,360 | 80 | 45.1 |
| 2017 | #2,898 | 58 | 33.6 |
| 2018 | #2,252 | 82 | 48.2 |
| 2019 | #2,500 | 71 | 42.3 |
| 2020 | #2,592 | 66 | 40.8 |
| 2021 | #2,438 | 74 | 45.1 |
| 2022 | #3,206 | 51 | 31.1 |
| 2023 | #3,370 | 48 | 29.9 |
| 2024 | #3,205 | 50 | 30.9 |
| 2025 | #4,532 | 31 | 19.3 |