Skip to main content
Name Biscuit

Unisex name

Riley

Riley ranks #41 out of 55,875 dog names in our data (the #1 dog name is Bella). Across all 17 places, 1,419 dogs carry the name. It's also a cat name: #201 for cats.
Riley's popularity trend

Riley's share of dogs, year by year — or toggle to its yearly rank. Peak year by share: 2014.

0.2%0.4%0.6%200720112015201920232025
Dogs in our data
1,419
across 17 places
Popularity rank
#41
of 55,875 dog names
5-year rank move
−17
2020 → 2025
Gender split
55% boys
45% girls55% boys
What does Riley mean?
/ˈɹaɪ.li/2 syllablesOrigin: a surname

Riley began as an Irish and English surname before becoming a popular given name for people and pets alike. As a surname it comes from Old English elements meaning "rye" and "clearing" or "meadow," together roughly "rye meadow."

Riley has a breezy, athletic sound, energetic without being loud. It suits an active dog who's happiest outdoors.

Etymology & pronunciation from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Where Riley shows up

Riley's share of each place's counted dogs. Places count differently — hover a Share figure for the basis. Click a heading to sort.

TorontoCanada0.8%
WorcesterUnited States of America0.3%
Allegheny CountyUnited States of America0.3%
New York CityUnited States of America0.2%
ProspectAustralia0.2%
Maple RidgeCanada0.2%
CambridgeUnited States of America0.2%
SeattleUnited States of America0.2%
Surf Coast ShireAustralia0.2%
PlayfordAustralia0.2%
Noosa ShireAustralia0.1%
Port Adelaide EnfieldAustralia0.1%
BurnsideAustralia0.1%
ZürichSwitzerland0.0%
DarwinAustralia0.0%
Basel-StadtSwitzerland0.0%

Names like Riley

Riley appears on