Ryan
Meaning of Ryan
Ryan sweeps in like a mariachi trumpet—bold, bright, impossible to ignore. Born from the Irish surname Ó Riain, it carries the spirited meaning “little king,” a title fit for a tiny caballero who rules every living-room kingdom. Pronounced RYE-ən, the name rolls off the tongue as easily at an American baseball game as at an abuela’s Sunday comida, making it a true passport stamp in sound. Pop-culture royalty backs it up—think Gosling’s cool charm and Reynolds’ winking humor—while U.S. charts show Ryan dancing near the top since the 1970s, still twirling within the Top 100 at No. 86 in 2024. Short, punchy, and free of tricky spelling, Ryan is a two-syllable firecracker that blends Celtic mist with Latin fuego, perfect for parents craving a classic that never naps. In other words, Ryan is the name that lets a boy stride onto life’s stage wearing both a crown and a grin—¡vámonos, pequeño rey!
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as RYE-an (/'raɪən/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Ryan
| Ryan Gosling is a Canadian actor known for indie and major studio films, with a Golden Globe win and nominations for three Academy Awards, a Primetime Emmy, and two British Academy Film Awards. |
| Ryan Howard is a former Philadelphia Phillies first baseman known as the Big Piece who played from 2004 to 2016, set numerous franchise records, and was the fastest to reach 100 and 200 home runs. |
| Ryan Reynolds is a Canadian American actor, producer, and entrepreneur known for comedic and superhero hits, an Emmy winner and top earner in 2020 and 2024, with lead roles grossing 6.5 billion worldwide. |
| Ryan Newman is an American NASCAR driver nicknamed Rocket Man who raced in the Cup Series from 2000 to 2023, winning 18 races including the 2008 Daytona 500 and 2013 Brickyard 400, and now competes in the SMART Modified Tour. |
| Ryan Seacrest is an American TV host and producer who became host of Wheel of Fortune in 2024 and is known for American Idol, New Years Rockin Eve, American Top 40, and Live with Kelly and Ryan. |
| Matthew Ryan Phillippe is an American actor who rose to fame in the late 1990s after early work on One Life to Live and roles in I Know What You Did Last Summer, 54, Playing by Heart, and Cruel Intentions. |
| Ryan Kyle Coogler is an award winning American filmmaker with ten NAACP Image Awards, four Black Reel Awards, and nominations for two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe, and a Grammy. |
| Ryan Sheckler is an American professional skateboarder and entrepreneur, star of MTV's Life of Ryan and Red Bull TV's Sheckler Sessions, and was named one of Fox Weekly's 15 most influential skateboarders. |
| Ryan Roxie is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter known for his solo work and playing with Alice Cooper, founder of the System 12 Guitar Method, and host of the weekly In the Trenches podcast. |
| Ryan Matthew Goins is an American former MLB infielder who played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals, and Chicago White Sox, and since 2024 has been the Los Angeles Angels infield coach. |
| Ryan Christie is a Scottish midfielder and winger for Bournemouth and the Scotland national team. |
| Ryan Shazier is an American coach and former Steelers linebacker, a 2014 first round Ohio State pick who now serves as the Steelers offensive assistant coach. |
| Ryan Matthew Dunn was an American stunt performer and actor best known as a star of the MTV reality series Jackass and its films. |
| Ryan O'Shaughnessy is an Irish singer and former Fair City actor who reached the 2012 Britain's Got Talent final and represented Ireland at Eurovision 2018. |
| Ryan Reaves is a Canadian NHL right winger for the San Jose Sharks who previously played for the Wild, Blues, Penguins, Golden Knights, Rangers, and Maple Leafs, and is the son of former CFL and NFL player Willard Reaves. |
