heyotag

Name meaning & stats

Ryan

Ryan (Irish origin). 991,437 US babies since 1940, peak 1985. Notable Ryans are 3.1× over-represented as ice hockey players.

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What it means

No agreed meaning on record

Irish

A unisex given name.

In US birth records

Peak year: 1985

40s50s60s70s80s90s00s10s20s

991,437 US babies were named Ryan between 1940 and 2025.

Where Ryans end up

Careervs expectedConfidence
Footballer2.2×High · 269 people
NFL-style footballer1.5×High · 171 people
Ice hockey player3.1×High · 157 people
Baseball player2.6×High · 143 people

Among notable men who are ice hockey players, Ryans show up 3.1× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.

Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.

One more thing…

Ryan has a surprise career: 1.4×

Reveal it in Ryan's story

Spelling family

Ryan is the main spelling

  • Ryan 98%
  • Rian 1%
  • Riaan <1%
  • Riyan <1%
  • Reyan <1%
  • Rihaan <1%
  • Riyaan <1%
  • Reyaan <1%
  • Rihan <1%
  • Ryaan <1%

Names that sound the same, grouped by Heyotag. Share of US babies since 1940.

Name twins (peaked around 1985)