Riley is a unisex given name of Irish origin. It derives from the Irish surname O'Raghallaigh, which means "descendant of Ragallach." Ragallach is believed to be derived from the Old Irish word "réidhe" meaning "fierce" or "courageous."
The name Riley first appeared as a given name in the late 19th century in Ireland. However, it was not until the mid-20th century that it began to gain popularity as a unisex given name. Today, Riley is used around the world and has become particularly popular in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In recent years, the name Riley has also gained popularity as a surname in its own right, with many people choosing to use it instead of their original family name for personal reasons. Despite this, it is still most commonly used as a given name.
Overall, Riley is a strong and distinctive name with a rich history dating back centuries. Its meaning "fierce" or "courageous" makes it an appealing choice for parents looking to give their child a powerful and unique name.
The name Riley has seen a significant rise in popularity over the past century and a half, with a particularly notable surge starting around the late 1980s. From having only dozens of occurrences per year in the early to mid-20th century, it grew to thousands by the turn of the millennium, peaking at nearly 4400 births in 2002 and remaining consistently high since then, with over a thousand births annually until very recently.