With the recent advent of the "Deadpool & Wolverine" box office phenomenon, we take a look at the name Ryan – and its very Irish links. But… how does the name Ryan fare in relation to the name Hugh?

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds recently revealed their fourth baby had been named Olin, and we thought there was no better time to take a look behind the scenes of dad Ryan’s name.

After all, we really REALLY want to know which name is the more popular: Ryan or Hugh?

Ryan has long since been one of the top most popular names in the US since the 70s, and though popularity of the name has decreased, Hollywood heartthrobs such as Ryan Reynolds and Ryan Gosling will make sure that the name will see renewed popularity before too long.

But what does the name actually mean?

Origin of the name Ryan

One of the first things an Irish person will tell you is that Ryan is, in fact, a popular surname in Ireland.

In fact, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) confirmed in their annual review of names in Ireland that Ryan, together with Murphy, Kelly, O’Brien, and Walsh, were the most common surnames for births on the island of Ireland in 2023.

But like many names in recent times, surnames have fast become first names in countries such as the US, and first names popular with boys have experienced a renaissance as girls’ names – and vice versa.

Ryan has become a popular first name for boys both in, and outside of, Ireland. Further afield, it’s even become a popular girl’s name, for example, in the US.

Ryan is thought to be a variation of the Irish surname O’Riain, which means "son of Rían".

Rían is thought to be the Gaelic forerunner to the name Ryan, and means "king" or "little king." The name Rían, however, has not, as yet, reached the popularity its easier namesake Ryan has – one reason, presumably, being the much simpler spelling, and pronunciation, of the latter.

Although Ryan continues to be a name chosen by parents up and down the country on Irish shores, its popularity has fallen here in recent times.

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Popularity in Ireland

Ryan was a very popular name in Ireland only ten years ago. Although not in the top 20, the name Ryan made it to 16th ranking in 2014, with 373 babies given the name that year.

Fast forward to 2023, and the popularity of this name has decreased substantially, reducing every year most years in the last five years.

Last year, the name Ryan fell to 33rd place in Ireland, with 151 babies born given the name Ryan in 2023.

By contrast, in 2019, just five years before, the name Ryan was still in 25th place nationwide, with 227 children born with this name.

A popular choice then. How, though, does it hold up against the name Hugh, which was ranked 106th in 2014?

Find out more as we take a microscopic look at the name Hugh in Ireland over the last ten years.

Famous people named Ryan

Hollywood stars are the first that spring to mind, but there are a few other famous people named Ryan, too:

  • Ryan Reynolds: Canadian actor, best known for recent successes such as Deadpool & Wolverine, and mutual ‘roastings’ of co-star Hugh Jackman, wife Blake Lively, and others
  • Ryan Gosling: American actor, recently of Barbie fame
  • Ryan Seacrest: "American Idol" host and creator of hit show "Keeping Up With The Kardashians"
  • Ryan Philippe: American actor known for roles such as "Cruel Intentions"
  • Ryan Giggs: Welsh footballer of Manchester United fame

* This article was originally published on Rollercoaster.ie.