Rhiannon Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Rhiannon is a Welsh name meaning 'great queen' or 'divine feminine,' originating from the word 'rhiain.' It evolved from Old Welsh to Modern Welsh, reflecting its rich cultural heritage. The name is associated with strength and femininity, with no direct biblical relevance. Its popularity rose in the 20th century, influenced by literature and music.
The name Rhiannon is most popular in New Mexico, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Rhiannon has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Rhiannon' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 16616th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 974th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 636th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 709th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1360th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Rhiannon' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Rhiannon"
Pronunciation
/riˈænən/
Origin
Welsh
Etymology
The name Rhiannon is derived from the Welsh word 'rhiain,' meaning 'great queen' or 'divine feminine.' It is often associated with the Welsh goddess of horses and the moon.
Meaning
divine queen, great queen, goddess
Language Evolution
Old Welsh: Rigantona, Middle Welsh: Rhiannon, Modern Welsh: Rhiannon
Historical Usage
Rhiannon gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly among those interested in Welsh culture and mythology. The name has been used in literature and music, contributing to its modern appeal.
Variants & Derivatives
Rhiann, Rhianna, Rhianna
Modern Popularity & Image
Rhiannon is perceived as a name that embodies strength, femininity, and a connection to nature and mythology. It has a mystical quality that appeals to many.
Famous People
Rhiannon Giddens, an American musician and founding member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops., Rhiannon Fish, an Australian actress known for her roles in various television series.
Explore More Rhiannon Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Rhiannon"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Rhiannon"
"Rhiannon" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 16616th of 16616 | 5 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 974th of 19264 | 2,074 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 636th of 27321 | 5,150 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 709th of 35406 | 6,070 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1360th of 30306 | 2,031 |
Regional Popularity of "Rhiannon" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Rhiannon" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
26.12% 767th/2937 |
32.24% 1123rd/3483 |
29.42% 1035th/3518 |
15.95% 645th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
16.64% 613th/3685 |
14.23% 637th/4475 |
15.25% 792nd/5194 |
8.90% 562nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
14.16% 649th/4582 |
12.88% 665th/5164 |
11.06% 809th/7313 |
9.08% 678th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
34.09% 1358th/3984 |
32.36% 1452nd/4487 |
22.30% 1521st/6822 |
22.42% 1407th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Rhiannon"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Rhiannon" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.