Given name & surname · also English
Rye
“resembling the grain”·“from the island's meadow”
Rye is used as a given name and a surname. Interpretations include “resembling the grain” and “from the island's meadow”. These belong to different or overlapping naming contexts.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Interpretations include “resembling the grain” and “from the island's meadow”. These belong to different or overlapping naming contexts.
Where it comes from
This spelling has been associated with English and Irish naming traditions.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1971. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Rye through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 1,236
- 1,070 boys · 166 girls
- Most popular year
- 2020
- 86 babies
- 2025
- 64
- #2,531 for boys · #9,351 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +3%
- Steady
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 83% boys.
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 53 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 2,531 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 0.4% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. It also appeared in 11 birth records for girls in 2025. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (8). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 1,013 as a first name in 2020; 3,783 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Rye’s family of names
In English usage, Rye is a nickname for Ryan. Rye has a related form in Ry. Rye has a related form in Riane.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 6
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Rye, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Pray
“meadow”
>99% boys
River
“from the river”
65% boys · 35% girls
Colwyn
“from the river” · “from the river in Wales”
>99% boys
Roper
“one who makes rope”
98% boys · 2% girls
Quill
“descendant of Coll”
95% boys · 5% girls
Macrae
“the son of Ray”
>99% boys
Canyon
“from the footpath” · “from the deep ravine”
92% boys · 8% girls
Darragh
“a wise woman” · “from the oak tree”
>99% boys