✦ NAME PROFILE ✦
Riley
/ RY-lee /
unisexMeaning
Valiant; rye clearing
Origin
Irish / English
Riley is derived from the Irish surname O’Raghallaigh (O'Reilly), meaning descendant of Raghallach, a name connoting bravery or valor. In an English context, it stems from a place name meaning 'rye clearing'. While traditionally a masculine name, it exploded as a feminine choice in the 1990s and is now one of the most successful unisex names in the English-speaking world.
Personality Distribution
MBTI Profile
Approximate distribution among people named Riley.
Cultural Context
Cultural Notes
Riley is a 'friendly' name, often associated with a sunny, energetic personality. It fits perfectly into the modern trend of surnames used as first names. In pop culture, the phrase 'living the life of Riley' suggests an easy, carefree existence, adding an optimistic aura to the name.
Notable People
Famous Bearers
Riley Keough
American actress and granddaughter of Elvis Presley (b. 1989)
Riley Curry
Daughter of NBA star Stephen Curry, who brought the name back into the limelight (b. 2012)
Riley B. King
The birth name of legendary blues musician B.B. King (1925–2015)