How Many People Are Named Riley?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Riley

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 6,104 living people in the United States currently have the first name Riley. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 6,752 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #419 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~6,104CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)6,752Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#419U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year2000 (153 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~6,104
Historical Births (SSA)
6,752
All-Time Rank
#419
Historical Peak
2000

Key Insights for Riley

Estimated Living Bearers
~6,104 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#419
Common First Name (Top 500)
Historical Peak Year
2000
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Female
4.5% Male · 95.5% Female
Recent 10-Year Trajectory
Softening (-27%)
2015–2024 SSA birth registration trend
Largest Estimated Population
California
~763 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Riley

Living Population Model
~6,104

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
6,752

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
5,505

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
28.3 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
2000

Highest annual total: 153 registrations in 2000.

Recent 10-Year Trend
declining (-27%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Between 2015 and 2024, Riley has experienced a 27% softening in annual newborn registrations from preceding decades.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Riley (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 2000 (~153 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
20101237116
20111197112
20121147107
20131107103
2014105699
2015100694
201696690
201791586
201887582
201977077
202073073
202170070
202265065
202361061
202458058

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
5/100
1950s
9/100
1960s
21/100
1970s
45/100
1980s
78/100
1990s
96/100
2000s
98/100
2010s
71/100
2020s
23/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historical U.S. registration data shows Riley is overwhelmingly recorded as a feminine first name (95.5% female births).

Male: 4.5% (~305 births)Female: 95.5% (~6,447 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Riley

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Riley in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Riley appeared 5,505 times, ranking #455 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
5,505 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#455
Census Sex Breakdown
8% M · 92% F

Where Is the Name Riley Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~763 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~76312.5%
Texas (TX)~5629.2%
Florida (FL)~4156.8%
New York (NY)~3726.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~2444%
Illinois (IL)~2383.9%
Ohio (OH)~2203.6%
Georgia (GA)~2013.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 6,104 people named Riley are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 28.3 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Riley: 28.3 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

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Frequently Asked Questions About Riley

How many people in the U.S. are named Riley?

Approximately 6,104 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Riley. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 6,752 birth applications for Riley between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Riley?

Riley ranks #419 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This places Riley comfortably within the top 500 most widely recognized American names.

When was the name Riley most popular in America?

The name Riley reached its peak historical popularity in 2000, when 153 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Riley?

Riley has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Riley?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historical U.S. registration data shows Riley is overwhelmingly recorded as a feminine first name (95.5% female births).

Where is the name Riley most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Riley resides in California, with approximately 763 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Riley in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Riley appeared 5,505 times in census returns, ranking #455 in official 2020 returns.

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