Riley

As this website clearly shows in the popularity chart, Riley was a boy’s name from the earliest recorded usage (1880s). It only got hijacked by the girls fairly recently, in 1990.

Riley is a GIRL name.

I've seen this name become a popular "unisex name" for girls in the last decade. I have known male dogs with the name Riley my entire life (including my own childhood dog). If you're considering it for a human, without it being a family name I do think it is worth considering if the association with a popular pet name bothers you.

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If you haven't heard it as a pet name I would recommend a quick google because it definitely has been a top 20 for dogs for longer than it has been trending for little girls. Yes, plenty of dogs have human names but this name has historically trended higher on pet name lists than human name lists, where many other names that have been used for pets and people outpaces the use in pets.

Honestly I think the name Riley is good for a boy and a girl.

In 2018, 4 is the most common age for an American (U.S.) Riley who is registered male with the Social Security Administration. It is the 668th most common male first name for living U.S. citizens.

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In 2018, 2 is the most common age for an American (U.S.) Riley who is registered female with the Social Security Administration. It is the 747th most common female first name for living U.S. citizens.

Hi, a Riley here. No not a boy, a girl. I am happy to say that I am a girl and not a dog.

Absolutely despise this name! It's so popular and overused and will not age well. I couldn't see it on a 25 year old. UGH, I hate this name.

I am newly pregnant and came across the name Riley for a girl. I love it. I thought I would google it to see if there were any ways kids would find a way to make fun of the name and instead I came across a site with adults using terms like disgusting, trashy, get off drugs. Personally, I think if you love the name use it, anyone who spits off such hateful opinions generally fits the profile of the insult they themselves used. They therefore don't have anything to say worth respecting. Why insult people?
P.S. Spell it anyway you like. Use it for a boy or girl. I love it!

My son's middle name is Riley. My husband and I absolutely fell in love with the name when I found it online when I was looking for name ideas. It also compliments my son's first name beautifully. I believe if I had had a little girl first, Riley would have been in her name somewhere. I love it for a girl or a boy. It's just a great name.