Reiley is a unique and distinctive name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish surname "Ó Raghallaigh," which means "descendant of Raghalach." Raghalach was a personal name meaning "little brave one" or "courageous one." Therefore, the name Reiley is associated with courage and bravery.
The surname Ó Raghallaigh was once quite common in Ireland, particularly in counties Meath and Dublin. Over time, some families began using the surname as a given name, giving rise to the modern-day forename Reiley.
Reiley has gained popularity in recent years, likely due to its unique sound and Irish heritage. It is often seen as an alternative spelling of the more traditional Irish name Riley, which also means "little brave one." However, unlike Riley, which has become quite popular and common, Reiley remains a rare and distinctive choice.
In terms of history, there are no notable figures with the name Reiley. As it is a relatively new given name, its history is still being written. Nonetheless, the Irish heritage and meaning behind the name Reiley make it an attractive choice for parents looking for a unique and meaningful name for their child.
The name Reiley has been given to a total of 324 babies born in the United States over the past few decades, with the years showing varying levels of popularity for this unique moniker.
In the mid-1990s, Reiley was quite rare, with only 9 births recorded in 1994 and just 7 in 1996. However, popularity began to grow steadily over time. In 1998, there were 17 babies named Reiley, marking a significant increase from previous years.
The year 2000 saw another jump in popularity with 18 births, followed by a further rise to 22 births in 2002. This trend continued throughout the early 2000s, peaking at 25 births each in both 2006 and 2007.
After this peak, the number of babies named Reiley began to decline gradually. There were still a considerable number of births each year, however, with figures remaining consistently above 10 until 2014 when it dipped below that mark for the first time in several years (7 births).
More recently, there has been a further decrease in popularity for the name Reiley. Only 5 babies were named Reiley in both 2016 and 2020, with just one more birth recorded in 2023.
These statistics demonstrate how the popularity of the name Reiley has ebbed and flowed over time, peaking around two decades ago before declining in recent years. Despite this decline, it remains a unique and memorable choice for parents looking for something different for their child's name.