Riley

Riley is a gender-neutral name of British and Irish origin. A versatile choice for both girls and boys, it means "rye clearing" from its Old English roots. First cultivated thousands of years ago, rye is a cereal grain that thrives under difficult conditions. This hearty definition can inspire baby Riley to withstand life's challenges and overcome obstacles to achieve their dreams.

Riley is also a variant of the Irish last name Reilly, an Anglicization of Ó Raghailligh, meaning "descendant of Raghailleach." The personal name Raghailleach is of unknown meaning, lending Riley a touch of mystery and intrigue. You may also recognize the name from Disney Pixar's Inside Out, which tells the story of Riley Anderson and the emotional changes she goes through while growing up.

While there are many renditions of Riley (Ryleigh, Reiley, Rylee, Rylie, Reilly, Rilee, and Reiley), members of The Bump community feel Riley's spelling is the go-to. We find med380's insight helpful: "I personally really like Riley for a girl. I'd definitely spell it Riley so that she isn't having to correct people for the rest of her life." If you want to honor your ancestral roots or inspire your child to listen to their emotions, Riley may fit the bill.