Find out how popular the first name Riayn has been for the last 14 years (from 1998 to 2011) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Riayn by gender

Based on the last 14 years of data, Riayn is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2011, there were 7 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Riayn.

The history of the first name Riayn

The name Riayn has its origins in the ancient Celtic cultures of the British Isles and Ireland, dating back to the 5th century CE. It is derived from the Old Irish word "rían," meaning "little king" or "little ruler." In early medieval times, the name was often spelled as "Ríán" or "Rían."

One of the earliest recorded references to the name is found in the ancient Irish annals, where it appears as the name of a minor king of the Uí Máine clan in County Galway, Ireland, around the year 650 CE. Another early mention is in the Welsh Triads, a collection of traditional narratives from Wales, where a figure named Riayn ap Cadwaladr is described as one of the "Three Faithful Youths" of the 7th century.

In the 9th century, a renowned Irish scholar and poet named Riayn mac Ferchertne was known for his work on the Old Irish language and literature. He is believed to have been born around 790 CE and lived in the monastic community of Clonmacnoise.

During the High Middle Ages, a figure named Riayn ap Gruffudd (born circa 1120) was a prominent Welsh nobleman and ally of the legendary Welsh prince Owain Gwynedd. He is mentioned in several medieval Welsh chronicles for his role in the conflicts between the Welsh princes and the Norman invaders.

Another notable bearer of the name was Riayn Ua Murchadha (circa 1095 - 1172), an Irish cleric and historian from County Kildare. He is best known for his work, the "Book of Leinster," which is an important medieval Irish manuscript containing a collection of historical and literary texts.

The name Riayn has appeared throughout history in various forms, such as Riain, Riain, and Riain, across the Celtic regions of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. While it has remained relatively rare compared to more common names, it has been carried on by individuals of Celtic descent throughout the centuries.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Riayn was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Riayn, please contact us.

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