"great queen"
Origin: Celtic via Welsh
Language: Welsh
Rihanna
Pronunciation: [ r-eeh-AHN-uh ]
Does Rihanna flow with your last name?
Born to a queen — a name that rules the world
Arabic
Welsh
Caribbean
American
Bold
Modern
Strong
Unique
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Rihanna
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Rihanna
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"sweet basil"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
"divine queen"
Origin: Celtic
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Rihanna
See all →What the Rihanna report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Rihanna 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 Rihanna
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Rihanna head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Rihanna 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
Things to Know About This Name
- Very strongly associated with singer Rihanna — any child named Rihanna will be immediately associated with the superstar
The Story of Rihanna
Rihanna is an Anglicization of the Arabic name Rayhana or Rihana, meaning sweet basil or great queen. It is also related to the Welsh name Rhiannon, meaning great queen or divine queen, from the Celtic root rigantona. Barbadian singer Rihanna (born Robyn Rihanna Fenty) has made the name iconic worldwide.
Rihanna's meteoric rise to global superstardom from 2005 onward made her name instantly recognizable. Since her international breakthrough with Pon de Replay and subsequent hits, the name Rihanna has become synonymous with the singer globally.
Rihanna is one of the most commercially successful musicians of all time and a global fashion and beauty icon through Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty. She performed at the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show. Her success has made the name both an homage and a conversation starter.
Historical Record
Rihanna first appeared in US Social Security records in 2000.
Over 6,522 babies have been named Rihanna in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Rihanna is past its peak , currently ranked #1,760 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Rihanna has sold over 250 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling musicians of all time
- Rihanna's Fenty Beauty became the most successful celebrity beauty launch in history
- The Welsh name Rhiannon, sharing the same root meaning great queen, was immortalized by the Fleetwood Mac song
Rihanna in Other Languages
Welsh
Rhiannon
Arabic
Rayhana
French
Rihanna
Spanish
Rihanna
Barbadian
Rihanna
Popularity Over Time
#1,760
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 2008
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Rihanna
R
Rihanna
Musician
1988
Barbadian singer, actress, and businesswoman; one of the best-selling artists of all time and founder of Fenty Beauty
R
Rhiannon Fictional
Other
Goddess and queen in Welsh mythology, featured in the Mabinogion, associated with horses and the Otherworld
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Rylynn
Girl
"brave, valiant (from Ry- element)"
#1,786
Addelyn
Girl
"noble, nobility"
#1,948
Caylee
Girl
"gentle, beautiful"
#1,936
Aryah
Girl
"noble, honored"
#1,713
Madden
Girl
"little hound, little dog"
#1,819
Compare Rihanna with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,760
- Total SSA Count
- 115
- Cultural Origins
- Arabic Welsh Caribbean American
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Ri
Anna
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, American heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, American heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Rihanna
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Rihanna fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Rihanna is also used as a boy name, ranked #32753.
View Rihanna as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Rihanna →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 Rihanna with...
Same Origin Names (Arabic)
See all Arabic names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Rihanna
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Rihanna and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Rihanna 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 →
Rylynn
Girl
Old English/Irish via Riley origin
"brave, valiant (from Ry- element)"
#1,786 in US
Addelyn
Girl
Germanic origin
"noble, nobility"
#1,948 in US
Caylee
Girl
Irish Gaelic origin
"gentle, beautiful"
#1,936 in US
Aryah
Girl
Sanskrit origin
"noble, honored"
#1,713 in US
Madden
Girl
Irish origin
"little hound, little dog"
#1,819 in US
Dolly
Girl
Greek origin
"gift of God (via Dorothy)"
#1,631 in US
Dixie
Girl
French origin
"ten (from French dix)"
#1,568 in US
Amaria
Girl
Arabic/Igbo origin
"eternal, long-lived (via Amara)"
#1,641 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Rihanna's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rihanna
What does the name Rihanna mean?
"great queen" (from Celtic via Welsh). "sweet basil" (from Arabic). "divine queen" (from Celtic). Rihanna is an Anglicization of the Arabic name Rayhana or Rihana, meaning sweet basil or great queen. It is also related to the Welsh name Rhiannon, meaning great queen or divine queen, from the Celtic root rigantona. Barbadian singer Rihanna (born Robyn Rihanna Fenty) has made the name iconic worldwide.
What is the origin of the name Rihanna?
Rihanna has Celtic via Welsh, Arabic, Celtic, Welsh, Caribbean, and American origins. In Celtic via Welsh, it means "great queen". In Arabic, it means "sweet basil". In Celtic, it means "divine queen".
Is Rihanna a boy or girl name?
Rihanna is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1760. As a boy name, it is ranked #32753. Rihanna is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Rihanna?
Rihanna is pronounced r-eeh-AHN-uh.
How popular is the name Rihanna?
Rihanna is currently ranked #1760 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Rihanna?
Common nicknames for Rihanna include Anna.
What are good middle names for Rihanna?
Popular middle name pairings include Rihanna Grace, Rihanna Marie, Rihanna Fenty, Rihanna Robyn, Rihanna Star, and Rihanna Nicole.
What are good sibling names for Rihanna?
Names that pair well with Rihanna as siblings include Beyonce, Nicki, Ariana, Jasmine, Amara, and Zara.
How many syllables does Rihanna have?
Rihanna has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Rihanna a common or rare name?
Rihanna is an uncommon name, ranked #1760 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Rihanna
Rihanna is a girl name with Arabic, Welsh, Caribbean, and American origins . The name means "great queen" in Celtic via Welsh .
Is Rihanna a boy or girl name? Rihanna is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,760 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #32,753. Rihanna is more commonly used as a girl name.
Rihanna is currently ranked #1,760 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Rihanna has 3 syllables and is pronounced r-eeh-AHN-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Rihanna include Ri and Anna. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Celtic via Welsh Names
Browse all names with this origin
R
Names Starting with R
More girl names like Rihanna
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl 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