Reilly
- Meaning
- Descendant of Raghallach; deeper meaning uncertain
- Origin
- Irish
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What does Reilly mean?
Reilly means “Descendant of Raghallach; deeper meaning uncertain”.
Reilly comes from an Irish surname, an English-language form of Ó Raghallaigh. The surname identifies descendants of a personal name written Raghallach or Raghailleach. The deeper meaning of that old personal name is uncertain, so the often-repeated translation courageous is better treated cautiously than presented as settled fact.
As a first name, Reilly is used for boys and girls. Riley and Reilley are related spellings in this surname family, although Riley also has a separate English place-name history. A family choosing Reilly for Irish ancestry may especially appreciate the visible connection to O'Reilly, while the shorter given-name form leaves off the ancestral prefix.
Nicknames & variations
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Variations & related forms
Related forms and spellings recorded for this name.
How popular is Reilly?
United States · 2025Explore how often Reilly is used and how its ranking has changed.
- US girls rank
- #2,855 2025 · #1 is most popular
- Girls named Reilly
- 60 Recorded births in 2025
- Change in births
- 6.2% Fewer than 2024
Reilly over time
United States · Girls
Recorded births
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Yearly data & usage
Rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys. The summary highlights girls, the most common recorded usage in 2025. Use the chart’s usage selector to explore both categories.
| Year | Usage | US rank | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | #2,708 | 48 |
| 2025 | Girls | #2,855 | 60 |
| 2024 | Boys | #2,822 | 46 |
| 2024 | Girls | #2,714 | 64 |
| 2023 | Boys | #2,429 | 56 |
| 2023 | Girls | #3,261 | 50 |
| 2022 | Boys | #2,509 | 55 |
| 2022 | Girls | #2,678 | 65 |
| 2021 | Boys | #2,319 | 60 |
| 2021 | Girls | #2,666 | 65 |
| 2020 | Boys | #2,538 | 51 |
| 2020 | Girls | #2,236 | 81 |
| 2019 | Boys | #2,037 | 72 |
| 2019 | Girls | #2,267 | 81 |
| 2018 | Boys | #2,039 | 71 |
| 2018 | Girls | #2,472 | 72 |
| 2017 | Boys | #2,151 | 64 |
| 2017 | Girls | #2,422 | 75 |
| 2016 | Boys | #1,671 | 95 |
| 2016 | Girls | #2,013 | 99 |
| 2015 | Boys | #1,800 | 84 |
| 2015 | Girls | #2,137 | 90 |
| 2014 | Boys | #1,546 | 104 |
| 2014 | Girls | #2,152 | 89 |
Years reflect available birth records. Missing records do not mean zero births.
Names like Reilly
Explore the connection, then save your favorites to compare.
Riley
Unisex- Meaning
- Rye clearing (English); Irish surname origin uncertain
Listed as a related name to Reilly.
Rowan
Unisex- Meaning
- Rowan tree; little redhead
Shares an origin with Reilly.
Quinn
Unisex- Meaning
- Descendant of Conn, chief leader, intelligence
Shares an origin with Reilly.
Ryan
Unisex- Meaning
- Traditionally little king
Shares an origin with Reilly.
Hayden
Unisex- Meaning
- Hay hill; other surname origins vary
Shares an origin with Reilly.
Rory
Unisex- Meaning
- Red king
Shares an origin with Reilly.
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