Find out how popular the first name Ryan has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ryan by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Ryan is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 97% of people named Ryan being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 4,020 male babies and 431 female babies born with the name Ryan.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 431 baby girls were named Ryan in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Ryan

The name Ryan is derived from the Irish surname Ó Riain, which means "descendant of Rian". Rian is an old Irish personal name that is thought to be derived from the Celtic word "rí", meaning "king". The name Ryan has its roots in ancient Celtic culture and language.

The earliest recorded use of the name Ryan dates back to the 16th century in Ireland. It was originally a surname, but over time, it transitioned into being used as a given name as well. The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 19th century.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the name Ryan was Ryan O'Mulryan, an Irish chieftain who lived in the 16th century. He was a prominent figure in the O'Mulryan clan and played a role in the Irish Confederate Wars.

Another notable Ryan in history was Liadain and Cuirithir, two Irish poets from the 7th century who were known for their tragic love story. Liadain's real name was Rian, and she is sometimes referred to as Rian Liadain.

In the 18th century, Ryan Giggs was a Welsh Anglican priest and author who wrote several works on theology and philosophy.

In the 19th century, Ryan O'Neill was an Irish nationalist and journalist who played a significant role in the Irish Home Rule movement.

One of the most famous individuals with the name Ryan in modern times is Ryan Gosling, the Canadian actor known for his roles in films such as "The Notebook", "La La Land", and "Drive". He was born in 1980.

The name Ryan has a rich history and cultural significance, particularly in Ireland and the Celtic world. It has evolved from an ancient personal name to a popular given name in many parts of the world.

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 Ryan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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