Rayan
Say it: RAY-an
BoyMeans usually explained as "well-watered" or "luxuriant"5 letters2 syllables
#272
in Ireland (2025)
#264 with spellings combined
16
babies in 2025
#262
best rank (2023)
203
babies since 2005
Up 197
10-year rank change
Rayan through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 16 | #264 |
| 2024 | 13 | #293 |
| 2023 | 16 | #262 |
| 2022 | 12 | #338 |
| 2021 | 12 | #328 |
| 2020 | 12 | #332 |
| 2019 | 7 | #446 |
| 2018 | 15 | #287 |
| 2017 | 18 | #263 |
| 2016 | 8 | #412 |
| 2015 | 7 | #461 |
| 2014 | 11 | #364 |
| 2013 | 9 | #404 |
| 2012 | 8 | #430 |
| 2011 | 6 | #490 |
| 2010 | 8 | #422 |
| 2009 | 5 | #532 |
| 2008 | 4 | #601 |
| 2007 | 7 | #404 |
| 2006 | 6 | #385 |
| 2005 | 3 | #518 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Rayan mean?
Usually explained as "well-watered" or "luxuriant"
Arabic Rayyan, from a root to do with watering and quenching thirst.
Say it right
RAYan
Many families say it closer to the Arabic, rye-YAAN, with the stress at the end.
The story of Rayan
Rayan is a spelling of the Arabic name Rayyan. It comes from a root to do with water and quenching thirst, and it is usually explained as “well-watered”, “luxuriant” or “satisfied”. A Persian name spelled the same way is said to mean wise or thoughtful, so its meaning depends on which tradition a family draws on.
It looks a lot like Ryan, and some people say it the same way, but the two are unrelated. Ryan comes from the Irish surname Ó Riain.
Rayan first appears in the CSO records in 2005. It had the most babies in 2017, with 18, and its best rank was number 262 in 2023. It has been given to more than a dozen boys most years since, and 16 boys got the name in 2025. The CSO counts Rayan, Rayyan and Ryan separately.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Rayan (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Rayan
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Rayan | 16 | 203 |
In Northern Ireland
Not in the 2025 list. Best rank #352 (2022); 12 babies since 2018.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.