Beau vs Riley

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Beau

Boy #69 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"handsome, beautiful"

Origin: French

Cultural Roots

American French British

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#69
Total SSA Count
4,694
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

12 High Risk

{:type=>:nickname, :severity=>:medium, :message=>"'Beau' can be twisted to 'bo'"}

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Riley

Girl #42 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"Courageous, valiant"

Origin: Irish

Cultural Roots

Irish English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#42
Total SSA Count
4,644
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Ri, Rile

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Riley →

Popularity Comparison

Beau Rank #69
Riley Rank #42

Riley is more popular, ranked #42 vs #69 for Beau.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Beau ___

  • Beau James
  • Beau Alexander
  • Beau William
  • Beau Thomas
  • Beau Harrison
  • Beau Charles

Riley ___

  • Riley Grace
  • Riley Mae
  • Riley Ann
  • Riley Jo
  • Riley Kate
  • Riley Claire

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Beau

Colt Brooks Briar Scarlett Willa

If you choose Riley

Avery Parker Quinn Logan Morgan

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Beau or Riley more popular?

Riley is more popular, ranked #42 compared to Beau at #69 in the United States.

What do Beau and Riley mean?

Beau means "handsome, beautiful" (French origin). Riley means "Courageous, valiant" (Irish origin).

Are Beau and Riley boy or girl names?

Beau is primarily a boy name. Riley is primarily a girl name.

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