Ryan

plural Ryans · alternative O'Ryan · alternative Rian · alternative Ryann · alternative Ryanne · alternative Ryana

1. A surname
   1. countableuncountableA surname from Irish, an anglicization of Ó Riaghain, Ó Riain (literally “descendant of Riaghan, Rian”).
   2. countableuncountableA surname from Irish, an alternate anglicization of Ó Maoilriaghain or Ó Maoilriain (“Mulryan”, literally “descendant of Maolriaghain, Maolriain (Riaghan's, Rian's follower)”).
   3. countableuncountableA surname from Irish, a rare anglicization of Ó Ruadháin, Ó Ruaidhín (Rowan, Rouine).
   4. countableuncountableA surname from Irish, a rare anglicization of Ó Sraitheáin, Ó Sruitheáin, Ó Srutháin (Strachan, Strahan).
2. A unisex given name.
   1. countableuncountableA male given name transferred from the surname, popular in English-speaking countries from the 1970s to the 1990s.

      Aberdeen have confirmed, external Ash Taylor and Lawrence Shankland will follow Ryan Jack, Niall McGinn and Peter Pawlett in leaving the club this summer.

      2017 May 31, “Aberdeen: Ash Taylor & Lawrence Shankland join players leaving Pittodrie”, in BBC Sport, archived from the original on 24 May 2021, retrieved 02 Sep 2026

      1 more example

      The geneticist said Ryan had a rare genetic disorder called mucopolysaccharidosis I, or MPS I, with a wide-range of symptoms affecting multiple systems in the body.

      2017 May 13, Ashley Strickland, “Warned he would die by age 10, he just graduated college”, in CNN, archived from the original on 12 Aug 2017

   2. countableuncountableA male given name from Arabic رَيَّان (rayyān). Sometimes written and pronounced as Ryan in English due to the phonetic similarity with the Arabic name.
   3. countableuncountableA female given name transferred from the surname, of 1970s and later usage.
   4. countableuncountableA female given name of 1970s and later usage, variant of Rhian.
3. A placename
   1. countableuncountableA suburb of Mount Isa, Queensland; named for Dr. Joseph Ryan, medical superintendent of the local hospital during WWII.
   2. countableuncountableA village in Lockhart Shire, New South Wales.
   3. countableuncountableAn unincorporated community in Inyo County, California; named for borax industry businessman John Ryan.
   4. countableuncountableAn unincorporated community in Vermilion County, Illinois.
   5. countableuncountableA minor city in Delaware County, Iowa.
   6. countableuncountableAn unincorporated community in Belle Creek Township, Goodhue County, Minnesota.
   7. countableuncountableA town in Jefferson County, Oklahoma; named for early settler and rancher Stephen W. Ryan.
   8. countableuncountableA township in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
   9. countableuncountableA ghost town in Stevens County, Washington; named for early settler Henry Ryan.
   10. countableuncountableAn unincorporated community in Roane County, West Virginia; named for early settler and minister Thomas P. Ryan.