Ryan is a male given name of Irish origin, derived from the ancient Irish name "Rían," which means "little king." The name has been popular throughout history, with notable figures such as Ryan Gosling and Ryan Reynolds among its bearers.
The name Rían was borne by several early Irish kings, including Rían of Tara, who is said to have ruled in the 5th century. The name became more widespread during the Middle Ages, when it was used as a given name for boys throughout Ireland. Over time, the name evolved into its modern form, Ryan.
The popularity of the name Ryan has varied over the centuries, but it has experienced significant growth since the mid-20th century. In the United States, for example, Ryan has been one of the top 10 most popular boy names every year since 1984, peaking at number two in 1997 and 1998.
Today, Ryan is a well-established name with a strong presence around the world. It is often associated with its Irish roots, but it has also become popular in other cultures due to its appealing sound and meaning. Overall, Ryan is a classic yet modern name that has stood the test of time.
The name Ryan has seen significant fluctuations and growth in popularity over the years. In its early years, it was quite uncommon with only single-digit birth counts per year from 1906 to 1940. However, starting in 1946, there was a notable increase, with births ranging from dozens to hundreds annually.
The most significant rise began in the late 1950s and peaked in the mid-1970s. The name reached its zenith in 1972 with 8880 births, indicating that it had become quite popular during this period. After 1976, there was a decline, but Ryan remained one of the top names throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.
Since then, popularity has steadily decreased, with fewer than 5000 births per year since 2013. As of 2023, it appears that Ryan is still a popular name, but its heyday seems to have passed.