Irish boy name
Ryan Name Meaning, Origin & Pronunciation
Ryan means little king (debated). From the Irish surname Ó Riain, of uncertain meaning.
Ryan began as the Irish surname Ó Riain, meaning descendant of Rian, a name whose meaning is not certain. It is often explained as little king, though scholars disagree. It became a popular first name in North America in the twentieth century, helped by actors and sportspeople. In Ireland, Rían has been used as a first name for much longer and was the most popular boy's name in 2025. The two are pronounced differently, with the Irish form closer to REE-an.
Pronunciation by a native speaker.
How to pronounce Ryan
RY·an
Ryan has 2 syllables. The stress falls on the first syllable (shown in bold). Say it as written in the respelling, with each capitalised part spoken a little louder.
Variants of Ryan
Well-known people named Ryan
Ryan Gosling, Ryan Tubridy.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ryan mean?
Ryan means "little king (debated)". From the Irish surname Ó Riain, of uncertain meaning.
How do you pronounce Ryan?
Ryan is pronounced RY-an.
What is the origin of Ryan?
Ryan is an Irish boy name. In Irish it is written Ó Riain.
How many syllables are in Ryan?
Ryan has 2 syllables, with the stress on the first one.
What are other spellings of Ryan?
Other spellings and forms include Rian, Ryann, Ryon, Rían.