Rising since 1990, #2,077 for boys today.
Popularity of Ridley since 1915
Babies named Ridley per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 16 |
| 1920s | 0 | 29 |
| 1930s | 0 | 47 |
| 1940s | 0 | 32 |
| 1950s | 0 | 31 |
| 1960s | 0 | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 | 5 |
| 1990s | 0 | 33 |
| 2000s | 115 | 228 |
| 2010s | 641 | 652 |
| 2020s | 608 | 455 |
Meaning & origin
Ridley originated as an English surname and place name, rooted in Old English for a cleared woodland. Its modern use as a given name has gained traction since the 1990s, reflecting broader surname trends. According to U.S. data, Ridley was first recorded in 1915, but remained rare until recent decades. Its peak popularity came in 2021, and it continues to rise, especially in states like Georgia, Ohio, and California. In 2025, it ranked 2077th, with approximately 1 in 24,057 newborns receiving the name, showing its niche appeal.
Ridley is an English surname and place name derived from Old English *ryd* 'cleared land' and *lēah* 'woodland clearing'. It originally referred to a settlement in Cheshire. As a given name, it gained modern use following the rise of surname-as-first-name trends.
Where Ridley is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rid, Riddy
Variants: Rydley
Sibling names for Ridley
Names that share Ridley's style, for a brother or sister.
