Male first name (English, Irish): Ryan, Old Irish (family name as first name), ri = the king, comes from an old Irish surname O'Riain 'descendant of Rian', the name 'Rian' is probably 'ri' 'King' derived Female first name (English, Irish): Ryan, Old Irish (surname as first name), ri = the king, comes from an old Irish surname O'Riain 'descendant of Rian', the name 'Rian' is probably 'ri' 'King 'derived