"courageous, valiant"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: Irish
Reilly
Pronunciation: [ r-EYEL-ee ]
Does Reilly flow with your last name?
Living the life of Reilly — Irish courage with an easy smile
Irish
American
Australian
Modern
Playful
Strong
Earthy
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The Story of Reilly
Reilly is an Irish surname-turned-forename, an anglicization of the Gaelic O Raghallaigh meaning descendant of Raghallach, where Raghallach is thought to mean courageous or valiant. The O'Reilly clan was one of the most powerful in Connacht, ruling the kingdom of Breifne for centuries. The phrase living the life of Riley (also spelled Reilly) — meaning an easy, carefree existence — adds a warmly positive colloquial association to the name.
Reilly is the less common but more distinctly Irish spelling of the Riley/Rylee wave that surged in the 2000s-2010s. It signals Irish heritage while fitting seamlessly into contemporary naming trends.
The O'Reilly clan dominated east Connacht for over 600 years, with their stronghold at Cavan. Saying someone is living the life of Riley or Reilly is a phrase that entered American English in the early 20th century, possibly from a music hall song about a man named Riley who lived in luxury.
Historical Record
Reilly first appeared in US Social Security records in 1978.
Over 5,467 babies have been named Reilly in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Reilly is past its peak , currently ranked #2,728 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The phrase 'the life of Riley' (also Reilly) entered American slang around 1900, meaning a comfortable, luxurious existence
- The O'Reilly clan (Reilly) ruled the Kingdom of Breifne in Connacht for over six centuries, making them one of Ireland's most powerful Gaelic dynasties
Reilly in Other Languages
Irish
Ó Raghallaigh
French
Reilly
German
Reilly
Spanish
Reilly
Popularity Over Time
#2,728
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1997
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Reilly
R
Reilly (Irish clan)
Other
The O'Reilly clan, rulers of the Kingdom of Breifne in Connacht, one of the most powerful Gaelic dynasties of medieval I...
The O'Reilly clan, rulers of the Kingdom of Breifne in Connacht, one of the most powerful Gaelic dynasties of medieval Ireland
R
Riley Freeman Fictional
Other
Protagonist of The Boondocks animated series — actually 'Riley' but all spellings are associated
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,728
- Total SSA Count
- 63
- Cultural Origins
- Irish American Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Rei
Reil
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Reilly
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Reilly is also used as a boy name, ranked #2800.
View Reilly as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Reilly
What does the name Reilly mean?
"courageous, valiant" (from Irish Gaelic). Reilly is an Irish surname-turned-forename, an anglicization of the Gaelic O Raghallaigh meaning descendant of Raghallach, where Raghallach is thought to mean courageous or valiant. The O'Reilly clan was one of the most powerful in Connacht, ruling the kingdom of Breifne for centuries. The phrase living the life of Riley (also spelled Reilly) — meaning an easy, carefree existence — adds a warmly positive colloquial association to the name.
What is the origin of the name Reilly?
Reilly has Irish Gaelic, Irish, American, and Australian origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "courageous, valiant".
Is Reilly a boy or girl name?
Reilly is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2728. As a boy name, it is ranked #2800. Reilly is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Reilly?
Reilly is pronounced r-EYEL-ee.
How popular is the name Reilly?
Reilly is currently ranked #2728 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Reilly?
Common nicknames for Reilly include Rei and Reil.
What are good middle names for Reilly?
Popular middle name pairings include Reilly Grace, Reilly Ann, Reilly Mae, Reilly Kate, Reilly Claire, and Reilly Rose.
What are good sibling names for Reilly?
Names that pair well with Reilly as siblings include Finn, Caitlin, Declan, Sienna, Aidan, and Molly.
How many syllables does Reilly have?
Reilly has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Reilly a common or rare name?
Reilly is an uncommon name, ranked #2728 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Reilly
Reilly is a girl name with Irish, American, and Australian origins . The name means "courageous, valiant" in Irish Gaelic .
Is Reilly a boy or girl name? Reilly is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,728 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #2,800. Reilly is more commonly used as a girl name.
Reilly is currently ranked #2,728 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Reilly has 2 syllables and is pronounced r-EYEL-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Reilly include Rei and Reil. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis