Linguistic Study Declares “Riley” as Most Beautiful Name

A recent linguistic study has named “Riley” as one of the most beautiful-sounding names in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Conducted in 2022, this research was a collaboration between the British baby brand My 1st Years and Dr. Bodo Winter, an Associate Professor of Cognitive Linguistics at the University of Birmingham. The study employed sound symbolism theories to evaluate and rank names based on their aesthetic qualities.

The analysis focused on 100 Irish first names, revealing that names featuring stronger “E” sounds were generally perceived more positively. Dr. Winter explained, “The science is based on sound symbolism, which is the idea that some words sound better than others based on the resemblance between the sound of a word and its meaning,” as reported by WROR.com in November 2022. The research drew on existing work from Adelman et al. (2018) to assign scores to popular baby names, ultimately identifying those that elicit positive emotions when spoken aloud.

The name “Riley,” which has Irish and Gaelic origins, derives from the word “raghalach,” meaning “valiant.” An alternative interpretation stems from Old English, where “rye” and “leah” translate to wood, clearing, or meadow. Originally an Irish surname, O’Reilly, it transitioned into a widely recognized first name for boys. Since the first year of data collection by the Social Security Administration in 1900, “Riley” has consistently appeared on the top 1,000 list of popular baby boy names.

Evolution of a Name

The name gained gender-neutral status over time, making its debut among the top 1,000 names for baby girls in 1990. It reached its peak popularity for girls in 2016, largely attributed to the character named Riley in the acclaimed Disney/Pixar animated film “Inside Out,” released in 2015.

In addition to “Riley,” the study identified other names that resonated positively. The top five most beautiful names for girls in the United States included:

1. Sophia
2. Zoe
3. Everly
4. Sophie
5. Riley

For boys, the top five were:

1. Matthew
2. Julian
3. William
4. Isaiah
5. Leo

The findings highlight the connection between language and emotion, showcasing how certain names can evoke feelings of beauty and warmth. For those interested in exploring the full results of the study, additional details are available on the My 1st Years website.

As names continue to shape identities and carry cultural significance, the ranking of “Riley” as the most beautiful name serves as a reminder of the power of language. The study not only enriches our understanding of name perception but also invites reflection on the personal meanings behind the names we choose.