Reili
An English feminine name of uncertain origin possibly meaning "meadow dweller".
Name Census estimates that about 11 living Americans carry the first name Reili. It appears on both sides of the gender split, with 54.5% of registrations being male. The average person named Reili today is around 22 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Reili births was 2006 (6 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Reili. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Reili. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
11
~ 1 in 31,159,485 Americans
Peak year
2006
6 babies that year
Average age
22
years old
2006 SSA rank
#11,735
Tracked since 2002
Gender
Gender distribution for Reili
Reili is one of the more evenly split names in the SSA data. Of the 11 total registrations, 6 (54.5%) were male and 5 (45.5%) were female.
Reili as a male name
- Ranked #11,735 in 2006
- 6 male births in 2006
- Peak: 2006 (6 births)
Reili as a female name
- Ranked #17,512 in 2002
- 5 female births in 2002
- Peak: 2002 (5 births)
Popularity
Reili: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Reili by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Reili during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 6 | 5 | 11 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Reili
The name Reili is believed to have originated from the Finnish language, with its roots dating back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Finnish word "reila," which means "generous" or "sincere." The name was initially prevalent in the Finnish regions of Karelia and Savonia.
During the Middle Ages, the name Reili gained popularity among the Finnish nobility and upper classes. It was often associated with individuals who exhibited virtues of generosity and honesty. Historical records from this period suggest that the name was bestowed upon children with the hope that they would embody these admirable qualities.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Reili can be found in the Finnish epic poem "Kalevala," which dates back to the 19th century. The poem mentions a character named Reili, who was known for his kindness and generosity towards others.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Reili. One such person was Reili Kaarento (1887-1957), a Finnish artist and painter renowned for her landscape and portrait works. Her paintings captured the beauty of the Finnish countryside and the lives of its people.
Another prominent figure was Reili Koski (1912-1998), a Finnish cross-country skier who competed in the 1936 Winter Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. She won a silver medal in the 4x5 km relay event, showcasing her athletic prowess and determination.
In the realm of literature, Reili Karisto (1926-2018) was a respected Finnish author and playwright. Her works often explored themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships. She was widely acclaimed for her poetic and insightful writing style.
Reili Hietanen (1945-2010) was a Finnish politician who served as a member of the Finnish Parliament from 1983 to 2003. She was known for her advocacy for women's rights and her commitment to social justice and equality.
Finally, Reili Rinne (born 1983) is a contemporary Finnish actress and television personality. She has appeared in numerous Finnish television shows and films, captivating audiences with her talent and versatility as a performer.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Reili throughout history, each leaving their mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich cultural tapestry of Finland and beyond.
People
Reili + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Reili as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with R
Other first names starting with R with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Reili: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Reili?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 11 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Reili going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 31,159,485 US residents.
Is Reili a common name?
We classify Reili as "Very Rare". It ranks above 30.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 11 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Reili most popular?
The single biggest year for Reili was 2006, when 6 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Reili is about 22 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Reili in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Reili a male name?
Yes, 54.5% of people registered as Reili in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Reili still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Reili in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Reili can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How common is the name Reili?
Our sister site HowManyOfMe.org answers how many people have the name Reili at a glance, with the living-bearer count up front.