UK name, mostly boys
Reilly
A masculine name originating from Ireland, derived from the Gaelic "riaghail" meaning courageous or valiant.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Reilly is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Reilly popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3688, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2012, with 63 births.
This profile covers 712 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, NRS Scotland and NISRA Northern Ireland, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 8% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 883 living people in the UK are called Reilly. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Reilly ranked #3688 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2012, when 63 boys were registered as Reilly.
- • Reilly ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #415 in 2017.
- • About 883 living people in the UK are estimated to have Reilly as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 94.1% of Reilly registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3688
2024
Births in 2024
5
Latest year
Peak year
2012
63 births
Estimated living
883
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Reilly
In England and Wales birth records, Reilly has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 94.1% of registrations are for boys and 5.9% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Reilly registered for boys
- Ranked #3,688 in 2024
- 5 boys registered in 2024
- Peak: 2012 (63 births)
Reilly registered for girls
- Ranked #3,899 in 2020
- 5 girls registered in 2020
- Peak: 2011 (5 births)
Meaning
What does Reilly mean?
The name Reilly originated from the Irish Gaelic surname Ó Raghailligh, which means "descendant of Raghaillach". Raghaillach is derived from the Old Irish word "ragallach", meaning "arrogant" or "defiant". The name first gained popularity in Ireland during the Middle Ages.
The name Reilly can be traced back to the ancient Gaelic clans of Ireland. It was particularly prominent among the families of County Cavan and County Westmeath. Records show that the name appeared in various medieval Irish manuscripts and annals, indicating its widespread usage among the Irish nobility and chieftains.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Reilly dates back to the 12th century. Reilly Óg Ó Raghailligh, a prominent Irish chieftain, is mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters, a renowned chronicle of medieval Irish history. He was a member of the powerful Ó Raghailligh clan and played a significant role in local affairs during his time.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Reilly. One of the most famous was John Reilly (1580-1628), an Irish Franciscan friar and martyr who was hanged, drawn, and quartered during the English Reformation for his Catholic beliefs. Another prominent figure was Sir John Reilly (1839-1912), an Irish-American businessman and philanthropist who played a crucial role in the development of the city of Indianapolis.
In the realm of sports, Johnny Reilly (1917-1977) was a professional baseball player who spent his entire career with the New York Yankees, winning four World Series championships. More recently, John C. Reilly (born 1965) is an acclaimed American actor known for his versatile roles in films such as "Chicago," "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story," and "Step Brothers."
Edwina Reilly (born 1954) is a notable Irish writer and journalist who has authored several novels and non-fiction works, including her memoir "Prefabulous" and the novel "Growing Pains." Her writing often explores themes of family, identity, and Irish culture.
While the name Reilly has its roots in Ireland, it has gained popularity worldwide and transcended cultural boundaries. Its rich history and enduring presence in various fields have contributed to its recognition and appeal across generations.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Reilly over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Reilly in England and Wales, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Reilly, the clearest high point is 2012. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2024, compared with 63 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Reilly by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Reilly was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #2584 | 43 | 5 |
| 2010s | #1106 | 322 | 10 |
| 2000s | #833 | 326 | 10 |
| 1990s | #2138 | 21 | 4 |
Geography
Where Reilly is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Reilly. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Reilly ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #415 in 2017.
Across the UK
Reilly in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#535 in 2024
19 years of NRS records, 153 total registered
Northern Ireland (NISRA)
#415 in 2017
7 years of NISRA records, 24 total registered
Notable bearers
Famous people named Reilly
-
Reilly Featherstone
actor
Welsh-British Actor
1998-
Related
Names similar to Reilly
- Ryan 68,692
- Riley 37,992
- Robert 27,462
- Reuben 25,122
- Rhys 24,418
- Reece 24,329
- Rory 21,870
- Roman 16,609
- Ronnie 16,445
- Reggie 14,684
- Rowan 14,371
- Ralph 8,892
FAQ
Reilly: questions and answers
How popular is the name Reilly in the UK right now?
In 2024, Reilly was ranked #3688 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Reilly most popular?
The peak year on record was 2012, with 63 babies registered as Reilly in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Reilly?
A masculine name originating from Ireland, derived from the Gaelic "riaghail" meaning courageous or valiant.
How many people are called Reilly in the UK?
A total of 712 babies have been registered as Reilly across the 29 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 153 more in Scotland and 24 in Northern Ireland.
Where is Reilly most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Reilly ranks best in Northern Ireland, where it placed #415 in 2017. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.