"courageous, valiant"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: Irish
Reilly
Pronunciation: [ r-EYEL-ee ]
Does Reilly flow with your last name?
An O'Reilly clan name meaning 'valiant' — Irish pride personified
Irish
Irish-American
Scottish
Australian
Traditional
Bold
Playful
Earthy
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Reilly
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Reilly
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"from the Ó Raghallaigh clan"
Origin: Gaelic
Language: Irish
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Reilly
See all →What the Reilly report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Reilly the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Reilly
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Reilly head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Reilly actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Reilly
Reilly is an Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Raghallaigh, from the clan name Raghallach, which may derive from words meaning 'courageous' or 'valiant.' The O'Reilly clan was one of the most powerful in Ulster, giving the name historical weight in Irish tradition. As both a surname and given name, Reilly (and its common variant Riley) crossed from Ireland to English-speaking countries during and after the waves of Irish emigration in the 19th century.
Reilly gained popularity as a given name alongside Riley in the late 20th century, as Irish surnames became fashionable first names. Riley became a top-10 name in the US, and Reilly remains a favored alternative spelling for those wanting to emphasize Irish heritage through the distinctive 'ei' spelling.
The O'Reilly clan was among the most prominent in Gaelic Ireland, and their name has become a general marker of Irish heritage. The phrase 'the life of Reilly' (meaning a luxurious, easy life) entered English in the early 20th century, giving the name an additional idiomatic association with ease and success.
Historical Record
Reilly first appeared in US Social Security records in 1953.
Over 4,510 babies have been named Reilly in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Reilly is past its peak , currently ranked #2,800 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The O'Reilly clan ruled Cavan and Meath in medieval Gaelic Ireland
- The idiom 'living the life of Riley/Reilly' entered English slang around 1900, meaning a comfortable and easy life
- Riley became one of the top 10 names for both boys and girls in the United States in the 2010s
Reilly in Other Languages
Irish
Ó Raghallaigh
French
Reilly
English
O'Reilly
Spanish
Reilly
Scottish
Reilly
Popularity Over Time
#2,800
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 Smith
Athlete
1991
Canadian professional ice hockey player in the NHL
B
Bill O'Reilly
Entertainer
1949
American television host and political commentator known for The O'Reilly Factor on Fox News
R
Riley Freeman Fictional
Other
Fictional character on the animated series The Boondocks, voiced by Regina King
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,800
- Total SSA Count
- 46
- Cultural Origins
- Irish Irish-American Scottish Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Rei
Lee
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Scottish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Irish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Irish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Australian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Reilly
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Reilly fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Reilly is also used as a girl name, ranked #2728.
View Reilly as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Reilly →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Reilly with...
Same Origin Names (Irish)
See all Irish names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Reilly
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Reilly and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Reilly sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Tyron
Boy
Gaelic origin
"young warrior"
#2,835 in US
Calen
Boy
Old Irish origin
"lean, slender warrior"
#2,750 in US
Murray
Boy
Scottish Gaelic origin
"lord of the sea"
#2,744 in US
Deven
Boy
Sanskrit origin
"divine, godlike"
#2,622 in US
Grayden
Boy
Old English origin
"gray valley, son of the gray one"
#2,699 in US
Matt
Boy
English origin
"short form of Matthew"
#2,802 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Reilly's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Reilly
What does the name Reilly mean?
"courageous, valiant" (from Irish Gaelic). "from the Ó Raghallaigh clan" (from Gaelic). Reilly is an Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Raghallaigh, from the clan name Raghallach, which may derive from words meaning 'courageous' or 'valiant.' The O'Reilly clan was one of the most powerful in Ulster, giving the name historical weight in Irish tradition. As both a surname and given name, Reilly (and its common variant Riley) crossed from Ireland to English-speaking countries during and after the waves of Irish emigration in the 19th century.
What is the origin of the name Reilly?
Reilly has Irish Gaelic, Gaelic, Irish, Irish-American, Scottish, and Australian origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "courageous, valiant". In Gaelic, it means "from the Ó Raghallaigh clan".
Is Reilly a boy or girl name?
Reilly is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2800. As a girl name, it is ranked #2728. 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 #2800 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Reilly?
Common nicknames for Reilly include Rei and Lee.
What are good middle names for Reilly?
Popular middle name pairings include Reilly James, Reilly Patrick, Reilly Michael, Reilly Thomas, Reilly Finn, Reilly Connor, and Reilly Joseph.
What are good sibling names for Reilly?
Names that pair well with Reilly as siblings include Declan, Siobhan, Finn, Aoife, Liam, Bridget, and Cormac.
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 #2800 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Reilly
Reilly is a boy name with Irish, Irish-American, Scottish, and Australian origins . The name means "courageous, valiant" in Irish Gaelic .
Is Reilly a boy or girl name? Reilly is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,800 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #2,728. Reilly is more commonly used as a girl name.
Reilly is currently ranked #2,800 in popularity for boy 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 Lee. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Irish Gaelic Names
Browse all names with this origin
R
Names Starting with R
More boy names like Reilly
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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