Rigel

This might sound and look like a blend of Ryan, Riley, and Nigel, but it is in fact the name of the seventh brightest star in the sky. Found in the constellation of Orion, its name comes from the Arabic phrase, Rijl Jauzah al Yusrā, , meaning "the left foot of the central one."

Associated with stargazing and astronomy, it may appeal to those looking for a celestial choice, as it did for Danish astronomer, Ejnar Hertzprung and his wife Henrietta Kapteyn (the daughter of another astronomer), who chose it for their daughter in in the early 20th century.

Given to 15 boys in 2024, it could make a familiar but unexpected choice.

As of October 2026, Rigel ranked #5158 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #3349 in 2016.