- Meaning
- Courageous
- Origin
- Irish
- Gender
- Boy or girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity
- US top 100
- Style
- Trendy
- Used in
- English-speaking countries
Nicknames for Riley
What friends, grandparents and the playground will call them, depending on where they grow up.
- English
- Ri
What people expect from a Riley
Riley mixes soft and sharp sounds, so people tend to read it as steady and balanced.
The meaning is about courage. A name can't give a child courage, but it's a nice thing to explain to them one day.
A good fit if you hope for: an athlete, an adventurer, a rebel.
Names set expectations, not personalities. What the research says.
Riley: name scorecard
Save your future kid some trouble: give them a name they can live and grow with.
Great choice
Riley
- International readabilitySimple letters that read the same almost everywhere.
- Easy to say and spellSays itself: 2 syllables, spelt how it sounds.
- Not too common, not too strangePopular. Familiar and safe, a bit less personal.
- Playground-proofNo obvious rude words or rhymes. Kids are creative, though.
- Won't get you sued (or refused)Nothing a registrar would object to in most countries.
- A meaning to be proud ofMeans "Courageous".
Names with a similar meaning
More Irish names
In 2015, fewer big US companies were run by women than by men named John.
The Upshot, New York Times (2015)Questions about Riley
What does the name Riley mean?
Riley is a unisex name of Irish origin meaning "Courageous".
Is Riley a boy or girl name?
Riley is used for both boys and girls.
How popular is the name Riley?
Riley is in the US top 100. It is used in English-speaking countries.
What are nicknames for Riley?
Common nicknames for Riley are Ri.
Fun, but true. Name meanings come from common etymologies, which sometimes disagree. Height and weight paths are estimates from population growth data and published studies, not a medical assessment. If you're worried about your child's growth, talk to your paediatrician. Full disclaimer