"great queen, divine queen"
Origin: Celtic
Language: Welsh
Rhiannon
Does Rhiannon flow with your last name?
A Welsh goddess name with timeless mystical allure
Welsh
Celtic
English
Mystical
Literary
Elegant
Vintage
Spiritual
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"goddess, divine woman"
Origin: Proto-Celtic
Language: Welsh
Browse names with similar meanings:
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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.
Historical Record
Rhiannon first appeared in US Social Security records in 1974.
Over 15,325 babies have been named Rhiannon in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Rhiannon is past its peak , currently ranked #1,312 for girl names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#1,312
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1977
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Rhiannon
R
Rhiannon Giddens
Musician
1977
Grammy-winning American musician, singer and multi-instrumentalist who performs folk, blues, and country music
R
Rhiannon Fictional
Other
Mystical Welsh goddess and queen from the Mabinogi, medieval Welsh mythology collection
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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
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, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English 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, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Rhiannon
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Rhiannon is also used as a boy name, ranked #30647.
View Rhiannon as a boy name →Similar Names
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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.
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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