📖 About Reilly
Reilly is an anglicised variant of the ancient Irish surname and given name Riley, derived from the Gaelic O Raghallaigh — meaning "descendant of Raghallach", a name associated with courage and valour. The O Raghallaigh were a powerful Connacht dynasty in medieval Ireland, giving Reilly strong aristocratic Gaelic roots. As Irish emigrants spread across the English-speaking world in the 18th and 19th centuries, Reilly evolved from a proud surname into a given name, especially popular in the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK. The spelling "Reilly" retains a distinctly Irish character, preferred by parents who want the Celtic heritage without the more common Riley spelling. While Riley has dominated popularity charts since the 2000s, Reilly remains a quietly distinguished alternative.
🔀 Variants & Related Names
⭐ Famous People
- John C. Reilly — American actor and comedian known for films like Boogie Nights, Chicago, Step Brothers, and his voice role in Wreck-It Ralph.
- Rick Reilly — Award-winning American sports journalist and author, long-time back-page columnist for Sports Illustrated.
- Reilly Opelka — American professional tennis player known for his powerful serve, ranked in the ATP top 20 in the early 2020s.
- Reilly Smith — Canadian professional ice hockey right wing who has played for the Boston Bruins, Vegas Golden Knights, and other NHL teams.