Declining since 1985, #99 for boys today.
Popularity of Ryan since 1906
Babies named Ryan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 10 |
| 1910s | 55 |
| 1920s | 111 |
| 1930s | 134 |
| 1940s | 500 |
| 1950s | 1,961 |
| 1960s | 11,322 |
| 1970s | 139,635 |
| 1980s | 278,938 |
| 1990s | 241,248 |
| 2000s | 173,244 |
| 2010s | 91,006 |
| 2020s | 25,959 |
Meaning & origin
Ryan tells the story of the great Irish-surname wave in miniature. Absent from American records until 1906, it built slowly for half a century, accelerated hard after Ryan O'Neal's 1970 stardom, and crested in 1985 as one of the defining boys' names of its era. The decline since has been unusually gentle: four decades after its peak, Ryan still ranked No. 99 in 2025, reaching about 1 in every 484 newborns.
Geography reinforces the name's roots. Ryan runs strongest in New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Connecticut, the Irish-American Northeast where surnames like Ó Riain became first names a generation early. Its staying power owes something to sound as much as heritage: two easy syllables, no spelling ambiguity, and a long roster of likable public bearers from Gosling to Reynolds to Seacrest have kept it feeling current rather than dated, even as its numbers ease.
Ryan is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Riain, "descendant of Rian." Rian itself is an early Irish personal name whose derivation is not securely known; the traditional suggestion reads it as rí ("king") plus a diminutive ending, giving the popular gloss "little king," but Irish-language scholars treat that as plausible rather than proven. As an American first name Ryan is a twentieth-century creation: it enters Social Security records in 1906 and rode the broader fashion for Irish surname names after mid-century. Ryan O'Neal's leading role in Love Story (1970) gave it a decisive push, and it climbed into the top ranks of the 1970s and 1980s.
Read more: Ryan on Wikipedia
Where Ryan is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Ryan” around the world
Where Ryan lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
185
babies in 2024
Ireland
#57
in 2025
New Zealand
#55
in 2025
Quebec
#84
in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#81
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ry
Famous people named Ryan
- Ryan Gosling · Canadian actor
- Ryan Reynolds · Canadian-American actor and entrepreneur
- Ryan Seacrest · American television and radio host
Sibling names for Ryan
Names that share Ryan's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Megan, Erin, Lauren, Kelly, Shannon, Emily, Allison, Alyson, Amie, Angie, Ashley, Ashlyn, Breanna, Briana, Brianna, Brittany, Brittney, Brooke, Carly, Cassidy, Chelsea, Colleen, Crystal, Dana, Emilee, Erika, Hailey, Heather, Jenna, Jessica, Jessie, Justine, Kaitlyn, Katrina, Kayla, Kelli, Kelsey, Kristen, Krystal, Kylie, Leann, Lindsay, Meagan, Meghan, Morgan, Reagan, Reese, Shana, Shanna, Shauna, Shelly, Tiffany, Whitney, Abbey, Allyson, Alysa, Alysha, Ashely, Ashlee, Ashli, Braelynn, Breana, Breann, Breanne, Breeanna, Bridgett, Brienna, Britany, Britney, Britny, Brittni, Bryana, Caitlin, Caitlyn, Caleigh, Cari, Carisa, Carleigh, Carley, Cayla, Chantel, Chelsey, Christen, Chrystal, Ciera, Cori, Cortney, Danni, Dayna, Devyn, Elyssa, Eryn, Haleigh, Hayley, Jaclyn, Jaimee, Jaimie, Jayme, Jenelle, Jessi, Julianne, Kacie, Kaila, Kaitlin, Kaitlynn, Kaley, Kalyn, Kandice, Karli, Karrie, Kasie, Katelin, Katelyn, Katelynn, Katlin, Katlyn, Kayle, Kayleen, Kayley, Kaytlyn, Keeley, Keely, Keily, Keli, Kellee, Kelley, Kellie, Kelsi, Keri, Kerri, Kerrie, Kiley, Kimberley, Kirstin, Kori, Kourtney, Kristan, Kristyn, Krystle, Leigh, Linsey, Lyndsey, Lynsey, Maegan, Makenna, Meaghan, Nicki, Reanna, Regan, Reilly, Rya, Shaina, Shannan, Shanon, Shawna, Tayla, Tiffani, Tiffanie, Tiffini, Tori, Tracie, Aaryn, Aleisha, Aleshia, Allisa, Allissa, Allyn, Aryn, Ashlea, Ashlei, Ashlin, Aundrea, Barbie, Becca, Breauna, Breeana, Breeann, Briann, Brianne, Briauna, Brieanna, Britani, Britni, Brittan, Brittaney, Caitlynn, Cameryn, Casie, Cassaundra, Cassey, Catelyn, Catlin, Chanell, Chasidy, Chassidy, Ciarra, Corie, Courtnee, Cristie, Cristin, Deserae, Ellyn, Erinn, Jaclynn, Jaymee, Jaymie, Jeni, Jerrica, Jesica, Jessyca, Jolee, Kaily, Kally, Karena, Kasi, Katelynne, Katilyn, Kaylea, Kaysie, Keirra, Keirsten, Kelcey, Kelle, Kellyann, Kellyn, Kelsy, Kierstin, Kimberlyn, Krislyn, Kristeen, Krysten, Krystin, Kyley, Kyli, Kyrstin, Laurin, Leighanne, Leisha, Lindsy, Lyndsay, Lyndsie, Mackayla, Mackenzi, Magan, Meggan, Meghann, Melyssa, Raeanne, Rayann, Rayanna, Rayanne, Renea, Rheanna, Ryanna, Shalynn, Shannah, Shannel, Shannen, Shaunda, Shaunna, Shavonne, Shawnna, Shenna, Shonna, Tausha, Teanna, Teryn, Tiffaney, Whittney, Ailee, Ailen, Aleasha, Alisyn, Allicia, Allyse, Allysen, Alyissa, Alyssah, Ashle, Ashliegh, Ashlye, Beckey, Brandice, Brayla, Breahna, Breaunna, Breianna, Briahna, Brieanne, Brigett, Britanie, Britanny, Brithany, Britnie, Brittainy, Brittanny, Bryann, Cailynn, Caitlan, Calley, Cammi, Carrisa, Cassady, Cassidie, Catie, Catlyn, Caycee, Ceirra, Charelle, Chavon, Chelsa, Chelsae, Chrislyn, Chrislynn, Christyn, Coree, Cortni, Coryn, Courtnay, Courtny, Crissa, Crystalyn, Crystina, Dereka, Derika, Errin, Hollee, Jacqlyn, Jaelene, Jaimy, Jamielee, Jamielynn, Jamy, Jamye, Jenika, Jennelle, Jennilee, Jilian, Jolissa, Josilyn, Kaitlynne, Kaly, Karee, Karlynn, Karys, Karyssa, Kasondra, Katee, Kateland, Katelyne, Kaylynne, Kaysi, Kayte, Kealey, Kealy, Kearsten, Keary, Keilly, Kelcy, Kelliann, Kellianne, Kellyanne, Kelyn, Kendrea, Kenedi, Keriann, Kerra, Kerriann, Kerrianne, Kerrin, Kersten, Kevina, Kimberleigh, Kimberlynn, Kimbley, Kirstan, Klynn, Koree, Korri, Korrin, Kortni, Kortnie, Krystan, Krysti, Krystie, Krystyn, Kurstin, Kyann, Kyleen, Kymberlee, Kymberli, Laren, Lessly, Liann, Lindee, Lindsi, Lindsie, Linsay, Lorren, Lyndsi, Lyndsy, Lynnae, Lynnsey, Lynsie, Lynzi, Lynzie, Maeghan, Malyssa, Marily, Mayan, Maygan, Meagen, Meegan, Megann, Megen, Megyn, Mehgan, Meighan, Mikenna, Nikkie, Nikkole, Raychelle, Raynee, Reann, Rhyann, Rianne, Rielly, Rowynn, Ryane, Shaena, Shailey, Shaney, Shanie, Shanley, Shannell, Sharissa, Sharisse, Shawndra, Shawnette, Shawnie, Shelina, Shyan, Skylin, Taralyn, Tarynn, Tawnee, Taylore, Terin, Tifanie, Tiffanee, Tiffiany, Tiffiney, Tiffney, Timberly, Tiphanie, Abryanna, Allanna, Allisha, Allysha, Amberlie, Amylynn, Analyssa, Ashleyann, Ashleymarie, Ashleynicole, Breanah, Breeanne, Brennah, Breunna, Brittiney, Brittne, Bryttani, Bryttany, Caitlen, Casee, Cathlyn, Caytlin, Celsey, Chantil, Chelise, Courtlyn, Cristyn, Dreanna, Dyna, Genae, Jacklynn, Jacquilyn, Jamiee, Jamielyn, Jamilee, Jaquelynn, Jayni, Jenalee, Jenalyn, Jenin, Jennamarie, Jessicca, Jilliann, Johnnae, Jonee, Jordyne, Jyllian, Kaitlen, Kaitlinn, Kaitlyne, Kaliann, Kalynne, Karrin, Karrina, Karrisa, Katelan, Katelynd, Kathlynn, Katilynn, Katlyne, Katlynne, Katryn, Kayann, Kayti, Kaytie, Keiley, Kelie, Kelleigh, Kellye, Kely, Kendelle, Kerie, Kerryn, Kieley, Kimberely, Kortnee, Korynn, Krisa, Kristell, Kristyl, Kyanne, Kylea, Kymberlie, Leiann, Lindsee, Lindzey, Lorrin, Madysin, Maegen, Makenze, Malley, Marrisa, Maryssa, Mattilynn, Maydelin, Mckaela, Meagon, Meggin, Meghin, Megin, Michaila, Mirissa, Mychelle, Nicci, Nickol, Raeana, Reagen, Reannon, Reet, Reise, Rickelle, Rockelle, Ryana, Ryenn, Sabree, Shanan, Shannin, Shauni, Shavaughn, Shawni, Shaynna, Sheala, Taffany, Taiylor, Tessica, Tiffane, Tiffinie, Tiffiny, Tiphani, Tyffany, Tylea, Vennessa, Alishea, Amand, Britiany, Chelesa, Jessaca, Joelly, Lakea, Shavonn, Staphany, Tiffannie, Alisen, Allesha, Angee, Annalynne, Apryle, Ashey, Ashlley, Bethannie, Brandilynn, Brandyce, Breean, Brettany, Briane, Britainy, Britanee, Britnay, Brittony, Brynnan, Brytney, Caitlinn, Caree, Carely, Cassara, Caytlyn, Chellsea, Chelsye, Cheridan, Chrishelle, Courtnei, Crystalann, Danialle, Danniell, Deamber, Devanee, Devann, Deveney, Erryn, Eryca, Erynne, Gelisa, Haly, Heylin, Hilliary, Jaclin, Jaclynne, Jaimey, Jenaye, Jenesa, Jenniferlynn, Jesicca, Jessice, Jillianna, Jillyn, Jylian, Jyssica, Kaetlin, Kaityln, Kandiss, Karess, Karilynn, Karle, Karynn, Katelee, Kateleen, Kateline, Katianne, Katilin, Kaysea, Kelicia, Kellina, Kerrilyn, Kery, Khristen, Kimberlly, Kimblery, Kimbly, Korynne, Kristalyn, Krystale, Krystn, Kyleigha, Kymberley, Lauralynn, Leslea, Lyann, Lynsay, Lynsee, Mackensey, Makinna, Meaghann, Meggen, Meghen, Megon, Meigan, Meredeth, Meygan, Nelissa, Nicloe, Nikcole, Randilyn, Reagann, Reanne, Ryin, Samanth, Saren, Shaeleigh, Shaiann, Shainna, Shalae, Shalan, Shannelle, Shannia, Shanyn, Shaunee, Shawneen, Shawnelle, Sheray, Shoni, Tifanny, Tiffanni, Tiffanny, Tiffine, Tifini, Toniya, Trachelle, Trinna, Tyerra
Brothers: Sean, Kyle, Brendan, Connor, Justin, Matthew, Brad, Brady, Branden, Brandon, Brenden, Brett, Brian, Bryce, Casey, Cole, Conner, Corey, Cory, Darren, Devin, Erick, Jarrett, Jason, Kerry, Kevin, Kristopher, Matt, Neil, Patrick, Shane, Shaun, Shawn, Aric, Arron, Bradly, Brandan, Bryant, Bryon, Chace, Collin, Davin, Devan, Deven, Donavan, Dustan, Garren, Jarod, Jarred, Kegan, Kellen, Kenny, Keven, Kory, Mitch, Rion, Shon, Tory, Trever, Adyn, Brain, Brendon, Brendyn, Breon, Brien, Brion, Byran, Cameren, Cavin, Cayce, Cj, Darrien, Darryn, Derrek, Derrik, Dusten, Dwane, Jaret, Jasen, Jermey, Justen, Kalin, Kenney, Kervin, Mychael, Ronal, Shan, Stefon, Terron, Torey, Aaren, Alexx, Arick, Aveon, Briant, Camerin, Channon, Chrishawn, Cobe, Collen, Collyn, Correy, Daran, Derren, Derrin, Dillian, Dylin, Edrian, Erek, Jamien, Jeramey, Jerek, Jerid, Jerrin, Jevin, Justan, Keanan, Keean, Keenen, Keevin, Kile, Nickolus, Obrian, Rande, Roney, Seanmichael, Shann, Shaune, Shawne, Shayn, Tyrie, Airon, Alanmichael, Braian, Brandonlee, Bryen, Byrant, Cammeron, Cevin, Chawn, Daaron, Davan, Devonn, Diyan, Dyron, Gerrad, Kayron, Keefe, Keegen, Kevyn, Mylon, Rishard, Seanpatrick, Seanpaul, Seon, Shawan, Shonn, Rhonin, Shanen, Yeiren, Aason, Branndon, Briyan, Cobin, Cotey, Cyree, Darric, Datron, Deryck, Deshannon, Devinn, Eryck, Jasun, Jaysin, Jhordan, Johnathin, Joshus, Justun, Kayren, Kayvan, Keland, Kiven, Korrey, Quinntin, Rilen, Shawnmichael, Shawnn, Teejay, Tyri
Names like Ryan
Names whose popularity has moved with Ryan's over the last 50 years.

