What Does the Name Ryan Mean?
Ryan is a boy's name of Irish origin meaning “little king.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Ryan |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Irish |
| Meaning | little king |
| Variants | Ryen, Rian, Ryanne, Ryane, Ryen |
| Popularity | A US top 20 boys' name from the 1980s through the 2000s. |
The meaning and origin of Ryan
The name Ryan means “little king” and has Irish origins. From an Irish surname, an Anglicized form of O Riain meaning 'descendant of Rian', a name probably derived from ri 'king' with a diminutive. It transferred from surname to popular given name in the 20th century.
Variants and related names
Ryan is related to several other names you may recognize: Ryen, Rian, Ryanne, Ryane, Ryen. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Ryan?
A US top 20 boys' name from the 1980s through the 2000s.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ryan mean?+
The name Ryan means “little king” and is of Irish origin.
What is the origin of the name Ryan?+
Ryan originates from Irish.
Is Ryan a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Ryan has trended in the US over time.
Ryan by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press