How Many People Are Named Ryan?
Complete statistics for the name Ryan: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Ryan, an Irish name meaning 'little king', is quite common in America with 1 in 349 Americans bearing it. That's over 944,376 people today! Its popularity peaked in 1985.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life-path number 22 symbolizes leadership and vision.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 33All 987,785 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1985Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Ryan Through the Generations
Ryan has been a steady presence in American naming trends since the mid-20th century. Born out of Ireland, it gained traction in the U.S., reaching its peak in 1985 with 30,479 births. Today, it's still popular but shows signs of decline. People named Ryan are mostly in their thirties and forties, with 37% under 30 and 62% aged 30-60.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Ryan
Ryan is an English-language given name of Irish origin. Traditionally a male name, it has been used increasingly for both boys and girls since the 1970s. It comes from the surname Ryan, which is typically an anglicisation of the Irish surname Ó Riaghain / Ó Riain. Popular modern sources typically suggest that the name means "champion" and "little king", but the original meaning is unknown. According to John Ryan, Professor of Early and Medieval History at University College Dublin, "Rian, like Niall, seems to be so ancient that its meaning was lost before records began."…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Ryan's Irish roots
📄 About the Name Ryan
How Many People Have the Name Ryan?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 137,599 people in the United States currently share the name Ryan. That works out to roughly 1 in every 2,409 Americans, placing it in the Uncommon category.
Is Ryan a Common or Rare Name?
Ryan is classified as Uncommon. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Ryan Mean?
Ryan means "little king" and comes from Irish origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 22.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Ryan in SSA data, approximately 97% are male and 3% are female.
When Was Ryan Most Popular?
The name Ryan reached peak popularity in 1985, with 30,479 babies registered that year. Current trend: Declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Ryan?
Approximately 137,599 people named Ryan live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 137,599. That works out to roughly 1 in 2,409 Americans.
Is Ryan a rare name?
Ryan is classified as Uncommon in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 2,409 Americans has this name.
What does the name Ryan mean?
Ryan means "little king" and comes from Irish origins.
Is Ryan more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 97% of people named Ryan are male and 3% are female.
When was Ryan most popular?
Ryan peaked in 1985 with 30,479 births that year. Current trend: Declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.