Ryan vs Emerson

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Ryan

Boy #87 Most Popular 2 Syllables

"little king"

Origin: Irish Gaelic (O'Riain)

Irish English American

✓ All Clear

Boy #270 Most Popular 3 Syllables

"son of Emery"

Origin: English surname

English American

✓ All Clear

Ryan Rank #87

Emerson Rank #270

Ryan is more popular, ranked #87 vs #270 for Emerson.

Is Ryan or Emerson more popular?

Ryan is more popular, ranked #87 compared to Emerson at #270 in the United States.

What do Ryan and Emerson mean?

Ryan means "little king" (Irish Gaelic (O'Riain) origin). Emerson means "son of Emery" (English surname origin).

Are Ryan and Emerson boy or girl names?

Ryan is primarily a boy name. Emerson is primarily a boy name.