Ripley
Gender: Unisex
Meaning: Courageous; rye clearing; valiant
Origin: Irish Gaelic — from Ó Raghallaigh (descendant of Raghallach), meaning valiant or courageous
Popularity: Ranked #1032 in 2025 with 243 babies born.
History: Ripley surged in the 2010s-2020s, inspired by Ellen Ripley from the Alien franchise — one of cinema's most iconic female heroes. Sigourney Weaver's character showed that women could be action heroes. Ripley means American girl power.
Similar names: riplee, rilah, rilee, riley, rilla, rip, ripp, raila
Name length: 6 letters
How common is Ripley? About 1 in 8,342 babies born in 2025 were named Ripley, or roughly 1.1 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Ripley
What does the name Ripley mean?
Ripley means “Courageous; rye clearing; valiant” from Irish Gaelic — from Ó Raghallaigh (descendant of Raghallach), meaning valiant or courageous roots.
What is the origin of the name Ripley?
Ripley has Irish Gaelic — from Ó Raghallaigh (descendant of Raghallach), meaning valiant or courageous origin. The traditional meaning is “Courageous; rye clearing; valiant”.
How popular is Ripley?
Ripley ranked #1029 in 2025 — given to 243 babies that year.
When was Ripley most popular?
Ripley peaked in 2025 with 243 babies registered that year.
Is Ripley a boy or girl name?
Ripley is used for both boys and girls. In the records, about 29% of Ripleys are boys and 71% are girls.
Is the name Ripley rising or falling in popularity?
Ripley has risen 273 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #1302 in 2020 to #1029 in 2025.
How long has Ripley been recorded?
Ripley appears in birth records across 48 years — from 1918 through 2025.