Riley

Meaning

Riley began as an English surname derived from an Old English place-name element meaning “rye clearing” or “clearing,” and it was later adopted as a given name. In some Irish contexts, it is also associated with surnames rendered from Gaelic forms, which helped shape its use as a first name. As a modern given name, Riley is often understood more by tradition and sound than by one fixed literal meaning.

Origin

Fun fact

Riley has become especially popular as a first name in the modern English-speaking world, even though it started out primarily as a surname.