Rylee

Rylee is a contemporary respelling of Riley, which began as an Irish surname from the Gaelic Raghallaigh, meaning "valiant" or "courageous," and as an English surname from a place name meaning "rye clearing." The y-and-double-e spelling emerged as Riley migrated decisively into girls' territory in the early 2000s. Rylee entered the U.S. top 200 in 2006 and climbed into the top 150 in the 2010s. Two short syllables land softly, RYE-lee, with an easy lilt. The spelling signals a certain sunny American modernity, the kind of name that feels as comfortable on a soccer jersey as on a birthday card. Rylee reads as warm, bright, and confidently itself.