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Reilly

Boy / Girl name · 156 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Reilly: 156 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to both boys and girls, peaking at 19 births in 2012.

Of Irish Gaelic origin, Reilly is an anglicised form of the surname Ó Raghailligh, meaning 'descendant of Raghaillach'—a personal name thought to derive from 'ragh' for 'race' or 'red deer', giving it associations with nobility or swiftness. Although not a traditional Scottish given name, it appeared in Scotland as families with the surname settled or emigrated. One notable bearer is the American sportswriter Rick Reilly, known for his long-running column in Sports Illustrated. Reilly also shares its root with the place name County Cavan in Ireland, where the Ó Raghailligh clan were one of the leading septs. Variants include Riley and Ryley, both more widely used as first names across the English-speaking world, lending the name a lively, modern feel.