Declining since 2020, #4,878 for girls today.
Popularity of Rhyleigh since 2002
Babies named Rhyleigh per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 93 |
| 2010s | 368 |
| 2020s | 203 |
Meaning & origin
Rhyleigh is a modern respelling of Riley, first recorded in the United States in 2002. It peaked in popularity in 2019, and has since been on a declining trajectory. In 2025, it ranked 4,878, with an estimated 1 in 59,528 babies receiving the name. The name is most commonly found in Louisiana and Texas, reflecting a Southern preference for distinctive spellings. While Riley has broader historical roots as an Irish surname and unisex given name, Rhyleigh represents a contemporary, feminine-styled variation that emerged during the early 2000s trend of creative naming.
Rhyleigh is a modern invented spelling of Riley, which itself derives from the Old English words 'ryge' (rye) and 'leah' (clearing, meadow). The name Riley originally referred to someone who lived near a rye clearing. As a given name, Riley gained popularity in the late 20th century, and creative spellings like Rhyleigh emerged in the 2000s as a way to add distinctiveness.
Where Rhyleigh is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rhy, Leigh
Sibling names for Rhyleigh
Names that share Rhyleigh's style, for a brother or sister.
