UK girl's name
Rhianon
A name derived from the Welsh mythological figure Rhiannon, meaning "great queen".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2008. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Rhianon is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Rhianon popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2008 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5545, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 14 births.
This profile covers 74 England and Wales registrations across 11 recorded years from 1996 to 2008. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, 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 21% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 73 living people in the UK are called Rhianon. 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 2009 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Rhianon ranked #5545 for girls in England and Wales in 2008, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 14 girls were registered as Rhianon.
- • About 73 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rhianon as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5545
2008
Births in 2008
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
14 births
Estimated living
73
2026
Meaning
What does Rhianon mean?
The name Rhianon has its origins in Welsh mythology and literature. It is a feminine given name derived from the Welsh word "rhiain," meaning "great queen" or "goddess."
The name gained popularity through the legendary character of Rhiannon, a prominent figure in the ancient Welsh tales known as the Mabinogion. These tales, which date back to the 11th or 12th century, depict Rhiannon as a beautiful and powerful figure associated with horses and birds.
In the Mabinogion, Rhiannon is introduced as the daughter of the wealthy Gwawl and becomes the wife of Pwyll, the prince of Dyfed. Her story is intertwined with themes of fertility, sovereignty, and supernatural elements, reflecting the significance of her name and its connection to the divine feminine in Celtic mythology.
While the name Rhianon has its roots in Welsh tradition, it has also transcended cultural boundaries and gained recognition worldwide. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Rhiannon Frampton Salterton (1753-1845), a Welsh artist and writer who gained recognition for her landscape paintings and poetry.
Another notable figure was Rhiannon Ifans (1900-1979), a Welsh academic and linguist who made significant contributions to the study of the Welsh language and its literature. Her work helped preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage associated with the name Rhianon.
In the realm of music, the name Rhianon gained popularity through the song "Rhiannon" by the legendary rock band Fleetwood Mac. Released in 1976, the song's lyrics were inspired by the mythical character and helped to introduce the name to a wider audience.
More recently, Rhianon Passmore (born 1991) is a British singer-songwriter and musician known for her powerful vocals and unique blend of folk and indie rock styles. Her music often explores themes of personal growth and self-discovery, reflecting the timeless appeal of the name Rhianon.
Another notable bearer of the name is Rhianon Rees (born 1985), a Welsh actress and producer who has appeared in various television shows and films. Her work has garnered critical acclaim and showcased the versatility and strength associated with the name Rhianon.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Rhianon over time
The chart below shows babies named Rhianon registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2008. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Rhianon, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2008, compared with 14 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rhianon by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rhianon 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #3550 | 38 | 7 |
| 1990s | #2057 | 36 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Rhianon
- Ruby 60,551
- Rebecca 45,764
- Rosie 35,558
- Rachel 19,034
- Rose 18,043
- Robyn 14,556
- Rosa 6,236
- Rhiannon 6,180
- Rachael 4,702
- Rebekah 4,395
- Rhianna 4,177
- Ruth 4,118
FAQ
Rhianon: questions and answers
How popular is the name Rhianon in the UK right now?
In 2008, Rhianon was ranked #5545 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Rhianon most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 14 babies registered as Rhianon in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Rhianon?
A name derived from the Welsh mythological figure Rhiannon, meaning "great queen".
How many people are called Rhianon in the UK?
A total of 74 babies have been registered as Rhianon across the 11 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
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.