Ryan
Ryan is a girl's name of Irish origin.
Meaning
Little king or illustrious.
Origin and history
Ryan is derived from the Irish surname Ó Riain, traditionally associated with meaning little king or illustrious. Although historically used predominantly for boys, it gained steady popularity as a given name for girls in the late 20th century in the United States. Today, it serves as a well-established unisex choice across the country.
Popularity in the United States
27,624 babies in the United States have been named Ryan since 1880. It ranks #876 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #568.
States where it is most popular
- CA (12.5 %)
- TX (9.4 %)
- NY (7.5 %)
- IL (5.3 %)
- PA (4.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 7 |
| 1960-1970 | 78 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,136 |
| 1980-1990 | 6,178 |
| 1990-2000 | 3,997 |
| 2000-2010 | 5,903 |
| 2010-2019 | 6,265 |
| 2020-2029 | 3,060 |
Famous people named Ryan
- Ryan Newman: Actress, Model
- Ryan Simpkins: Actor
Fun facts
- Originates from the Old Irish name Rían, historically combined with the suffix -án to denote 'little king'.
- While historically masculine, Ryan emerged as a popular choice for girls in the U.S. starting in the 1970s.