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Rye

Rye: name meaning, origin and popularity

Unisex name

Meaning and origin of Rye

Root meaning: “forest clearing”

  • A nickname of the given name Ryan.

Etymology

As an English surname, variant of Rea. * Also as an English surname, from the noun rye. * As a Norwegian surname, from several farmsteads whose name derive from Old Norse rjóðr (“forest clearing”); see the verb ryðja (“to clear”). * As a Danish surname, from the town Ry in Skanderbord. * The town in England is perhaps derived from Old English riþ (“river, stream”) whence also rith; compare ree.

How popular is Rye?

64U.S. babies in 2025
#1934peak rank (2020)
1,236babies since 1880

Since 1880, 166 girls and 1,070 boys in the U.S. have been named Rye (13% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #6421 in 2022. Its highest rank for boys was #1934 in 2020. In 2025, 64 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.

1880192019602000202586 peak/yr
U.S. births per year with this name, 1880–2025 (SSA)

Names similar to Rye

Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.

Sibling name ideas for Rye

Names that peaked around the same time as Rye and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.

Rye FAQ

What does the name Rye mean?

Rye traces back to a root meaning "forest clearing". A nickname of the given name Ryan. As an English surname, variant of Rea. * Also as an English surname, from the noun rye. * As a Norwegian surname, from several farmsteads whose name derive from Old Norse rjóðr (“forest clearing”); see the verb ryðja (“to clear”). * As a Danish surname, from the town Ry in Skanderbord. * The town in England is perhaps derived from Old English riþ (“river, stream”) whence also rith; compare ree.

How popular is the name Rye?

Since 1880, 166 girls and 1,070 boys in the U.S. have been named Rye (13% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #6421 in 2022. Its highest rank for boys was #1934 in 2020. In 2025, 64 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.

Is Rye a boy or girl name?

Rye is used for both boys and girls in the U.S. (166 girls and 1,070 boys since 1880).

Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.