Rhiannon

Girl Name #1,312 Most Popular Hidden Gem 3 Syllables

A Welsh goddess name with timeless mystical allure

Welsh Celtic English

Mystical Literary Elegant Vintage Spiritual

Meaning & Origin

"great queen, divine queen"

Origin: Celtic

Language: Welsh

"goddess, divine woman"

Origin: Proto-Celtic

Language: Welsh

The Story of Rhiannon

Rhiannon is a figure from Welsh mythology, a goddess associated with horses, birds, and the Otherworld. Her name derives from the Proto-Celtic 'Rigantona' meaning 'great queen' or 'divine queen.' She appears in the Mabinogi, the collection of medieval Welsh tales, as an enchanted woman who rides a pale horse and is falsely accused of killing her own son.

Rhiannon surged in the 1970s after Fleetwood Mac released their iconic song 'Rhiannon' in 1975, introducing the name to a generation of English speakers unfamiliar with Welsh mythology. The name has maintained a gentle, mystical appeal ever since.

In Wales, Rhiannon is a beloved mythological figure and cultural touchstone. She represents strength, patience, and magical power. The name carries deep Celtic spiritual resonance and is considered a quintessentially Welsh name.

Fun Facts

Rhiannon appears in the oldest surviving Welsh prose texts, the Mabinogi, written around 1100 CE
Fleetwood Mac's 1975 song 'Rhiannon' sparked massive popularity for the name in English-speaking countries
In Welsh mythology, Rhiannon's birds could wake the dead and lull the living to sleep

Rhiannon in Other Languages

Irish Ríonach

Welsh Rhiannon

Breton Riannon

French Rhiannon

Spanish Rianon

Famous People Named Rhiannon

Rhiannon Giddens

Musician

1977

Grammy-winning American musician, singer and multi-instrumentalist who performs folk, blues, and country music

Rhiannon Fictional

Other

Mystical Welsh goddess and queen from the Mabinogi, medieval Welsh mythology collection

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 3
Popularity Rank: #1,312
Total SSA Count: 175
Cultural Origins: Welsh Celtic English
Pronunciation: Moderate
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Rhi Rhia Annie

Pairs Well With

Rhiannon Grace Rhiannon Mae Rhiannon Claire Rhiannon Louise Rhiannon Rose Rhiannon Jane

Sibling Names

Gwendolyn Isolde Rowan Caius Evelyn Bryn Seren Ewan

Also a Boy Name

Rhiannon is also used as a boy name, ranked #30647.

View Rhiannon as a boy name →

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Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Rhiannon

What does the name Rhiannon mean?

"great queen, divine queen" (from Celtic). "goddess, divine woman" (from Proto-Celtic). Rhiannon is a figure from Welsh mythology, a goddess associated with horses, birds, and the Otherworld. Her name derives from the Proto-Celtic 'Rigantona' meaning 'great queen' or 'divine queen.' She appears in the Mabinogi, the collection of medieval Welsh tales, as an enchanted woman who rides a pale horse and is falsely accused of killing her own son.

What is the origin of the name Rhiannon?

Rhiannon has Celtic, Proto-Celtic, Welsh, and English origins. In Celtic, it means "great queen, divine queen". In Proto-Celtic, it means "goddess, divine woman".

Is Rhiannon a boy or girl name?

Rhiannon is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1312. As a boy name, it is ranked #30647. Rhiannon is more commonly used as a girl name.

How popular is the name Rhiannon?

Rhiannon is currently ranked #1312 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Rhiannon?

Common nicknames for Rhiannon include Rhi, Rhia, and Annie.

What are good middle names for Rhiannon?

Popular middle name pairings include Rhiannon Grace, Rhiannon Mae, Rhiannon Claire, Rhiannon Louise, Rhiannon Rose, and Rhiannon Jane.

What are good sibling names for Rhiannon?

Names that pair well with Rhiannon as siblings include Gwendolyn, Isolde, Rowan, Caius, Evelyn, Bryn, Seren, and Ewan.

How many syllables does Rhiannon have?

Rhiannon has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Rhiannon a common or rare name?

Rhiannon is an uncommon name, ranked #1312 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Rhiannon

Rhiannon is a girl name with Welsh, Celtic, and English origins . The name means "great queen, divine queen" in Celtic .

Is Rhiannon a boy or girl name? Rhiannon is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,312 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #30,647. Rhiannon is more commonly used as a girl name.

Rhiannon is currently ranked #1,312 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Rhiannon has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Rhiannon include Rhi, Rhia, and Annie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.