Ridley
Ridley is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Reed clearing or cleared woodland.
Origin and history
Ridley originated as an Old English habitational surname referring to a cleared wood or reed clearing. Historically modest in usage, it has seen a steady rise as a given name in the United States in recent decades, appealing to parents drawn to surname-names and nature imagery.
Popularity in the United States
1,528 babies in the United States have been named Ridley since 1880. It ranks #3214 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1476.
States where it is most popular
- CA (28.5 %)
- TX (21 %)
- FL (10.5 %)
- TN (8.2 %)
- GA (4.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 16 |
| 1920-1930 | 29 |
| 1930-1940 | 47 |
| 1940-1950 | 32 |
| 1950-1960 | 31 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 0 |
| 1980-1990 | 5 |
| 1990-2000 | 33 |
| 2000-2010 | 228 |
| 2010-2019 | 652 |
| 2020-2029 | 455 |
Famous people named Ridley
- Ridley Scott: Director, Producer
Fun facts
- The name originally described several places in England named from Old English words for 'reed' and 'clearing'.
- While historically most recognizable as a surname, Ridley has steadily gained traction as a unisex given name in the 21st century.