Ryann

Ryann is an American modification to the classic Irish masculine name Ryan (which has since become unisex in the United States). By adding that extra “n” to the end of Ryann, the name achieves a new level of femininity. And that was probably the point. Ryan ultimately comes from the Irish clan name O’Riain (descendent of Rían and pronounced “ree-an” in its mother tongue). The name was formed from the Irish-Gaelic elements “Rí” meaning “king” plus the diminutive suffix “-an” and so means “little king”. In the days of ancient and medieval Ireland the name Rían was likely given in order to imply some type of “royal” stature within the chiefdoms or clans. The surname may find one of its roots in a 10th century Irish King Rían of a territory in South Leinster; the clan name was later anglicized to Ryan and the surname is still quite popular in Ireland today (especially in the cities of Carlow, Tipperary and Limerick). The family motto states: “"I would rather die than be disgraced" which is pretty honorable stuff if you ask us. As a forename, Ryan is considered unisex in the United States, but elsewhere in the English speaking world Ryan is regarded as exclusively masculine. Ryan is ultra-popular in the Gaelic-influenced nations of Northern Ireland, Ireland and Scotland where it’s ranked inside the Top 10 most favorite for the little lads. As a boy’s name, it’s also highly ranked in Canada (#13), Australia (#23), the United States (#25), England (#30) and the Netherlands (#41). Remarkably, Ryan is also ranked at position #100 in France. Only the Irish male names Aidan/Aiden and Liam can claim such widespread and consistent popular usage of a name throughout the English-speaking world. Some American parents who like this name for a girl may opt for the Ryann spelling to make it look a little more girly.