Declining since 2019, #343 for girls today.
Popularity of Ryleigh since 1986
Babies named Ryleigh per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 13 |
| 1990s | 807 |
| 2000s | 8,261 |
| 2010s | 17,881 |
| 2020s | 8,177 |
Meaning & origin
First recorded in 1986, Ryleigh emerged as a feminine variant of the popular name Riley, reflecting the modern trend of adding the -leigh suffix to create distinctively feminine spellings. The name saw a steady rise in usage through the 2000s and 2010s, reaching its peak rank in 2019 before beginning a gradual decline. As of 2025, Ryleigh ranks 343rd nationally, with about 1 in 1,804 girls receiving the name. It has been most popular in southern states such as Mississippi, West Virginia, and Alabama. While its trajectory has been falling since 2019, the name remains a recognizable choice among contemporary -leigh names, appealing to parents seeking a familiar yet unique feel.
Ryleigh is a contemporary spelling variant of Riley, which originates from the Irish surname Ó Raghallaigh. The surname derives from the Gaelic 'raghallach', meaning 'valiant' or the Old English 'ryge leah', meaning 'rye clearing'. In recent decades, Ryleigh has emerged as a popular feminine given name, especially in the United States, driven by the trend of creatively spelled -leigh names.
Where Ryleigh is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Ryleigh” around the world
Where Ryleigh lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
10
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ry, Rylee, Leigh
Sibling names for Ryleigh
Names that share Ryleigh's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Mackenzie, Kailyn, Peyton, Hadley, Brielle, Braylynn, Madilynn, Marleigh, Raegan, Teagan, Caelyn, Irelynn, Kinleigh, Mikaila, Rayleigh, Alleigh, Blakeleigh, Brittyn, Brynnleigh, Jacelynn, Jaylie, Kyliegh, Myleigh, Natalynn, Shailyn, Shaylen, Waylynn, Atleigh, Blakleigh, Braley, Brealynn, Brenleigh, Brinleigh, Cyleigh, Declynn, Greenleigh, Greidys, Jaeleigh, Kaedynce, Kearstyn, Makaylin, Makynzi, Maleigh, Mileigh, Paitynn, Rayvin, Daveigh, Addaleigh, Aubreyanna, Brityn, Chasady, Jaydalyn, Jaydalynn, Kaislynn, Kaydynce, Khamryn, Kopelynn, Kynsleigh, Kynzleigh, Shealeigh
Brothers: Kaden, Landon, Cooper, Jackson, Carter, Braylen, Taylen, Dayson, Tayvin, Taedyn
Names like Ryleigh
Names whose popularity has moved with Ryleigh's over the last 50 years.
