Reilley is a unique and distinctive given name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic surname "Ó Raghallaigh," which is believed to have been brought to Ireland by the Norse-Vikings in the 9th century. The original meaning of the surname is uncertain, but it is thought to be derived from the Old Norse personal name "Hralldr," which means "powerful" or "strong."
The name Reilley has a long and storied history in Ireland. It was originally a Norman surname that was brought to Ireland by the Anglo-Normans who invaded the country in the 12th century. The Reilleys were a prominent family in County Meath, where they held significant lands and titles.
Over time, the name Reilley became anglicized to Riley, which is now one of the most common spellings of the name in English-speaking countries. Despite this change in spelling, the name remains distinctly Irish in origin and meaning.
Today, Reilley is still a popular given name in Ireland, as well as in other parts of the world where there is an Irish diaspora. It is often chosen by parents who want to give their child a strong, distinctive name with Irish roots.
In summary, Reilley is a unique and distinctive given name of Irish origin that means "powerful" or "strong." It has a long and storied history in Ireland, where it was originally a Norman surname brought to the country by the Anglo-Normans. Over time, the name became anglicized to Riley, but it remains distinctly Irish in origin and meaning. Today, Reilley is still a popular given name in Ireland and other parts of the world with an Irish diaspora.
Reilley is an uncommon but not unheard of name in the United States, with a total of 180 recorded births between 1996 and 2013. The name's popularity varied year by year during this time period.
In 1996, only five babies were named Reilley. However, its popularity grew steadily over the next few years, reaching a peak in 2004 with 17 births that year. This was also the year when the name was at its most popular relative to other names, with a total of 180 births since 1996.
After 2004, the number of babies named Reilley began to decline. There were nine births in 2005 and ten in 2006. The years 2007-2008 saw a decrease in popularity, with only six births each year. In 2009, there was a slight increase to eleven births, but the numbers dropped again to seven in 2013.
Despite fluctuations in popularity over time, Reilley remains a distinctive name choice for parents looking for something unique and memorable for their child.