Ryan
Irish
"little king"Ryan Origin and Meaning
The name Ryan is both a boy's name and a girl'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.
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.
# 66 in the US
Ryan Rank in US Top 1000
Ryan Popularity
- 66US2021
- 225Nameberry2022
- 6Unisex2021
- 135Future2028
- 101England2020
- 90Scotland2021
- 35Ireland2021
- 51Australia2021
- 70New Zealand2021
- 268Germany2016
- 68Netherlands2021
- 90Switzerland2020
20 Names Similar to Ryan
These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Ryan.
- Evan
- Nathan
- Ryan
- Dylan
- Logan
- Adam
- Ethan
- Connor
- Jacob
- Tyler
- Kyle
- Riley
- Zachary
- Luke
- Carter
- Nicholas
- Matthew
- Aidan
- David
- Joshua
Lists containing Ryan
- Alternatives to Ryan
- Boy Names Dads Like More Than Moms
- Top Baby Names 1980s
- Top 1970s Baby Names
- Top Baby Names 1990s
- Top Unisex Names On Nameberry
- Most Common Names for Boys
- Dad Names
- Names That Mean Small, Little, or Tiny
- Surnames That Are Baby Names
- Irish Surnames as Baby Names
- Unisex Irish Names
- Names That Mean Ruler or Royal
- Top Unisex Baby Names
- Popular Irish Baby Names
- Top Irish Baby Names
- Last Names as First Names
- Best Irish Boy Names
- Corgi Names
- Unisex Names for Boys
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