What origin is the name Ryan?

Ryan comes from irish naming traditions. Names from this origin often carry meanings tied to nature, virtues or heritage.

Is Ryan a popular name?

Ryan is very rare in official US birth records — fewer than 5 babies of this gender were given the name in any year we checked.

Yes. Ryan does not appear in US Social Security birth records, which list every name given to at least 5 babies, so it is rare in the US.

What are good brother names for Ryan?

Names from the same irish tradition pair naturally with Ryan — for example Liam, Aiden, Aidan. You can browse more on our irish names page.

Ryan

Discover the meaning and origin of the name Ryan

Ryan

Unisex

irish

1 syllable

Ryan is an irish unisex name meaning "A name of Irish origin that translates to little king or young royalty, widely used for both boys and girls.".

Ryan is a unisex name of irish origin meaning "A name of Irish origin that translates to little king or young royalty, widely used for both boys and girls.". At just 4 letters, it is short and easy to say. It has 1 syllable.

Origin: irish
Gender: Unisex
Syllables: 1

Meaning compiled from public name lists.

Meaning

A name of Irish origin that translates to little king or young royalty, widely used for both boys and girls.

Popularity

Very rare in US records (source: US Social Security Administration birth records (best rank 2008–2017))

Quick answers about Ryan

Very rare in US records

What does Ryan mean?

Ryan is a unisex name of irish origin meaning "A name of Irish origin that translates to little king or young royalty, widely used for both boys and girls.".

Is Ryan a rare name?

Yes. Ryan does not appear in official US birth records for 2017, meaning fewer than 5 babies got the name that year.

Brother names that go with Ryan

Liam Aiden Aidan Sean Declan Patrick

Combine Ryan with another name

Our free name combiner blends two names into new baby name ideas.

Names with a similar meaning to Ryan

Ryan means "A name of Irish origin that translates to little king or young royalty, widely used for both boys and girls." — these names share that spirit.