How to Pronounce Ryan
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Ryan name meaning
First Name
963k
in the U.S.
since 1880
963k
in the U.S.
since 1880
Last Name
143k
in the U.S.
in 2010
143k
in the U.S.
in 2010
Girls
Boys
Meaning and Origin
What does the name Ryan mean? Keep reading to find the user submitted meanings, dictionary definitions, and more.
Origin and Meaning of Ryan
User Submitted Origins
English
49%
Irish
27%
American
9%
Arabic
4%
Gaelic
3%
African
3%
African American
2%
Egyptian
2%
User Submitted Meanings
- A user from California, U.S. says the name Ryan is of Irish origin and means "Little king, young royalty".
- 33 people from all over the world agree the name Ryan is of Irish origin and means "Little king".
- 2 submissions from the United Kingdom and the United States agree the name Ryan means "Small King" and is of Gaelic / English origin.
- 4 people from Ohio, U.S. agree the name Ryan is of American origin and means "King".
- According to a user from Maryland, U.S., the name Ryan is of American origin and means "Swamp King".
- A user from Virginia, U.S. says the name Ryan means "... 'descendent of the king'".
- A user from South Carolina, U.S. says the name Ryan is of American origin and means "Little prince".
- 2 submissions from India and the United Kingdom agree the name Ryan means "Door of heaven" and is of Arabic / American origin.
- According to a user from India, the name Ryan is of Arabic origin and means "Door to Heaven".
- A submission from California, U.S. says the name Ryan means "Protector of royalty" and is of Irish origin.
International Interest
Also see international interest
Wiktionary
- An Irish surname, anglicized from Ó Riaghain, Ó Riain (“descendant of Riaghan, Rían”). Riaghan/Rían is perhaps from rí (“king”) + -án (diminutive suffix), meaning “little king”.
- An Irish surname, an alternate anglicization of Ó Maoilriaghain, Ó Maoilriain (Mulryan).
- An Irish surname, a rare anglicization of Ó Ruadháin, Ó Ruaidhín (Rowan, Rouine).
- An Irish surname, a rare anglicization of Ó Sraitheáin, Ó Sruitheáin, Ó Srutháin (Strachan, Strahan).
- A locale in Australia.
- A suburb of Mount Isa, Queensland; named for Dr. Joseph Ryan, medical superintendent of the local hospital during WWII.
- A village in New South Wales.
- A locale in the United States.
- A city in Iowa.
- A city in Oklahoma; named for early settler and rancher Stephen W. Ryan.
- An unincorporated community in California; named for borax industry businessman John Ryan.
- An unincorporated community in Minnesota.
- An unincorporated community in Illinois.
- An unincorporated community in West Virginia; named for early settler and minister Thomas P. Ryan.
- A ghost town in Washington; named for early settler Henry Ryan.
- A male given name transferred from the surname, popular in English-speaking countries from the 1970s to the 1990s.
- A female given name transferred from the surname, of 1970s and later usage.
- A female given name of 1970s and later usage, variant of Rhian.
Ryan was also found in the following language(s): Cebuano and Portuguese
Notable Persons Named Ryan
Notable Persons Named Ryan
Ryan Gosling
Ryan Gosling is an actor and musician. He was most active from 1993 to present. Ryan was given the name Ryan Thomas Gosling on November 12th, 1980 in London, Ontario, Canada.
Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds is an actor and producer. He was most prominent from 1991 to present. Ryan was born on October 23rd, 1976 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Ryan Seacrest
Ryan Seacrest is a television show host, television, radio personality, presenter, celebrity, and televisionandradio personality. He was most active from 1990 to present. Ryan was given the name Ryan John Seacrest on December 24th, 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs is a soccer player for the Manchester United F.C., Manchester City F.C. Reserves, Academy, Manchester United F.C. Reserves, England national under-16 football team, Wales national under-19 football team, and Wales national under-21 football team. Ryan was born on November 29th, 1973 in Canton, Cardiff, Wales.
Ryan Phillippe
Ryan Phillippe is an actor, director, and writer. He was most active from 1992 to present. Ryan was given the name Matthew Ryan Phillippe on September 10th, 1974 in New Castle, Delaware.
Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams is a rock music, alternative country, and folk rock musician, singer-songwriter, producer, poet, painter, and record producer. He plays Vocals, guitar, piano, harmonica, bass guitar, drums, banjo, Lead vocalist, Gibson ES-335, Fender Telecaster, Fender Stratocaster, and Fender Princeton Reverb. He has had major accomplishments since 1991. Ryan was given the name David Ryan Adams on November 5th, 1974 in Jacksonville, North Carolina United States.
Notable Persons With the Last Name Ryan
Notable Persons With the Last Name Ryan
Paul Ryan
Paul Ryan is a Chairman of the House Ways, Means Committee, Chairman of the House Budget Committee, 54th Speaker of the United StatesHouse of Representatives, Chairman of theHouse Ways, and Chairman of theHouse Budget Committee. Paul was born on January 29th, 1970 in Janesville, Wisconsin.
Meg Ryan
Meg Ryan is an actress. She has been prominent since 1981. Meg was given the name Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra on November 19th, 1961 in Fairfield, Connecticut, U.S.
Jeri Ryan
Jeri Ryan is an actress and actor. She has been prominent since 1991. Jeri was given the name Jeri Lynn Zimmermann on February 22nd, 1968 in Munich, West Germany.
Lucy Lawless
Lucy Lawless is an actress and musician. Her ongoing career started in 1989. Lucy was given the name Lucille Frances Ryan on March 29th, 1968 in Mount Albert, New Zealand.
Amy Ryan
Amy Ryan is an actress. Her ongoing career started in 1987. Amy was given the name Amy Beth Dziewiontkowski on May 3rd, 1969 in Flushing, Queens, New York City, U.S.
Debby Ryan
Debby Ryan is an actress and singer. She has been prominent since 2006. Debby was given the name Deborah Ann Ryan on May 13th, 1993 in Huntsville, Alabama, United States.
- Katherine Ryan
- Nolan RyanBaseball Player
- Buddy RyanAmerican Football Player
- Matt RyanActor
- Rex RyanAmerican Football Player
- Jack LordArtist
- Irene RyanActress
- Tim RyanCongressman
- Leo RyanPolitician
- Jay RyanActor
- Robert Ryan
- Joey RyanWrestler
- Michelle RyanActress
- Bianca RyanSinging
Ethnicity Distribution
| Ethnicity | Ryan | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| █ | White | 91.65% | 64.26% |
| █ | African American | 3.02% | 11.96% |
| █ | Asian, Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander | 0.89% | 4.85% |
| █ | American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.43% | 0.69% |
| █ | Two or More Ethnicities | 1.46% | 1.76% |
| █ | Hispanic or Latino | 2.55% | 16.26% |
Of Last Name Ryan
People with the last name Ryan are most frequently White
Entire United States
Fun Facts about the name Ryan
| #31 | Most Popular Boy Names |
| #13 | Last Name First Names |
| #149 | Unique Girl Names |