Baby Name Popularity Profile

Riley

Data-driven SSA statistics, rankings, and historical trends for Riley.

✦ Valiant or courageous 🌍 Irish traditional
National Rank (2025) #48
All-Time Peak Rank #22 Achieved 2016
Total U.S. Births 141,960 since 1880
Unisex Distribution 32.0% Boy / 68.0% Girl Leans Female
First Recorded 1923 Last seen: 2025
Peak Decade 2010s 7,159 births in 2016
💡 The Riley Vibe: Considered a Modern Trend. A contemporary choice reflecting current cultural naming rhythms and popularity brackets.

🌍 Meaning & Etymology

Primary Meaning Valiant or courageous
Language Origin Irish
Origin Type single
Derived from the Irish surname Ó Raghallaigh, meaning 'descendant of Raghallach'. The personal name Raghallach means 'valiant' or 'courageous'. It also has associations with place names meaning 'rye clearing'.
Common Nicknames
Ri Lee
Alternative Spellings
Rylee Ryleigh Reilly Reilley
Pronunciation: RYE-lee
Themes & Categories
traditional
Etymology confidence: High

📖 The Story Behind Riley

According to SSA data, Riley achieved its highest historical rank of #22 in 2016. Its highest annual registration volume occurred in 2016 with 7,159 babies. Between 2015 and 2025, modern registrations have decreased by 22.6%. Overall, the name has maintained a ranked presence for 53 consecutive years.

📊 Factual Timeline & Current Trajectory (1880 – 2025)

Registration footprint of Riley across 145 years of SSA data.

5-Year Trajectory Declining
10-Year Shift -22.6% Decline
18801920196020002025

📈 Popularity Milestones & Volatility

Busiest Year on Record 7,159 births in 2016
Years in Top 100 24 yrs
Years in Top 500 33 yrs
Registry Streak 53 yrs
Historical Volatility Highly Volatile
Largest 1-Year Jump N/A
Decade-by-Decade Registration Volumes
1880s: 0
1890s: 0
1900s: 0
1910s: 0
1920s: 11
1930s: 11
1940s: 21
1950s: 18
1960s: 11
1970s: 72
1980s: 680
1990s: 10,234
2000s: 45,533
2010s: 56,150
2020s: 29,219

📐 Sound & Spelling Structure

Phonetic Syllables Ri-ley
Letter Count 5 letters
Spelling Complexity Moderate
Length Percentile Longer than 7.7% of names
Linguistic Profile: It is an isogram, meaning no two letters are repeated. Longer than 7.7% of SSA names. Starts with R, a letter used by only 4.7% of SSA names.

🛠️ Sibling & Surname Cadence Tool

Enter a surname or sibling name to test how it pairs with Riley.

📍 Authentic State & Regional Rankings

Highest Ranking State Nevada
Top States Nevada, Delaware, Alaska, New Hampshire, Arizona
States with Data 51
State 2025 Rank Total Births Peak Year 5-Yr Velocity
Nevada #56 1,067 2015 37.7% Decline
Delaware #32 547 2008 Insufficient historical volume
Alaska #68 357 2009 Insufficient historical volume
New Hampshire #31 735 2009 Insufficient historical volume
Arizona #74 2,737 2008 3.8% Decline
Florida #53 7,561 2016 12.1% Decline
Colorado #33 2,638 2017 +12.1% Growth
Oregon #27 1,718 2016 +3.0% Growth
Washington #54 3,007 2016 8.7% Decline
Maryland #45 2,788 2016 39.2% Decline
Idaho #78 718 2016 Insufficient historical volume
North Carolina #45 5,197 2016 18.8% Decline
Virginia #30 4,077 2016 2.5% Decline
Georgia #31 4,905 2017 10.4% Decline
Connecticut #25 1,880 2016 19.8% Decline
Tennessee #35 3,479 2009 13.3% Decline
South Carolina #48 2,308 2016 30.4% Decline
Utah #145 1,267 2016 38.5% Decline
Missouri #45 3,351 2009 20.4% Decline
Ohio #37 6,844 2008 21.8% Decline
Hawaii #40 453 2016 Insufficient historical volume
Rhode Island #24 535 2016 Insufficient historical volume
New Jersey #48 4,015 2016 12.2% Decline
Wyoming Unranked 194 2004 Insufficient historical volume
Vermont Unranked 245 2003 Insufficient historical volume
Kansas #56 1,482 2003 +4.8% Growth
California #72 13,869 2016 29.1% Decline
Michigan #41 5,240 2016 21.5% Decline
Texas #70 10,490 2016 23.4% Decline
Montana #68 414 2016 Insufficient historical volume
Kentucky #27 2,336 2008 +16.0% Growth
Massachusetts #42 3,281 2008 +2.8% Growth
Pennsylvania #22 7,093 2016 9.4% Decline
Maine #78 576 2009 Insufficient historical volume
Indiana #86 3,070 2016 20.2% Decline
Oklahoma #97 1,748 2010 21.3% Decline
Arkansas #48 1,369 2016 6.7% Decline
Louisiana #28 2,187 2016 7.4% Decline
Nebraska #117 858 2004 Insufficient historical volume
Iowa #115 1,514 2002 20.0% Decline
Minnesota #59 2,102 2016 9.9% Decline
New Mexico #40 611 2022 Insufficient historical volume
Alabama #33 2,033 2019 Stable
Wisconsin #47 2,200 2016 1.2% Decline
Illinois #58 5,246 2017 21.0% Decline
New York #48 7,683 2016 28.8% Decline
North Dakota #70 336 2014 Insufficient historical volume
West Virginia #60 893 2010 43.2% Decline
Mississippi #46 1,136 2017 14.6% Decline
South Dakota #155 277 2016 Insufficient historical volume
District of Columbia #39 337 2016 Insufficient historical volume

👨‍👩‍👧 Sibling Name Suggestions

👦 Brother Suggestions
Lucas Wyatt Mason Nolan Jaxon Owen Carter Parker Colton Easton
👧 Sister Suggestions
Layla Sadie Bella Harper Lily Ella Mila Stella Sophie Audrey

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