Entry № 1037 · Welsh origin

Rhiannon Rhiannon — Meaning, Origin & Baby Name Popularity

/ ree-AN-on /
Gender
Girl
Origin
Welsh
Meaning
"Great queen, divine queen"
Syllables
3
Rank · US 2025
№ 0
First recorded
Ancient (Welsh)

A name that means "great queen, divine queen".

Rhiannon comes from the Welsh — from Rigantona, meaning "great queen" or "divine queen." In the medieval Welsh mythological cycle The Mabinogion, Rhiannon is one of the central figures: a queen of the Otherworld who appears on a magical white horse, the embodiment of grace under terrible injustice.

Fleetwood Mac's 1975 song "Rhiannon" (written by Stevie Nicks, inspired by the myth) brought the name international attention. Today it remains in continuous use in Wales and is rising in the U.S.

Great queen. The mythical Welsh queen on the white horse.

The name in its native script.

Rhiannon
Transliteration
Rhiannon
Pronunciation
/ riˈæn.ən /
Root
Grammatical form

Where Rhiannon stands.

Current rank · 2025
№ 0 in the U.S.
All-time peak
№ 327 in 1981
Babies named Rhiannon · last year
187 in the U.S.
First entered SSA top-1000
1976
Rank, 1995–2025 Lower = more popular
№25 №75 №150 №250 1995 2005 2015 2020 2025 PEAK · №327 NOW · —

Rhiannons before her.

Real people
Rhiannon Giddens
American musician, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer.
born 1977
In fiction
Rhiannon
Welsh mythological figure in The Mabinogion.
Medieval Welsh
Rhiannon
Subject of Fleetwood Mac's 1975 song.
1975 song

Names connected to Rhiannon.

The number behind Rhiannon.

7

The Seeker

Rhiannon reduces to seven — the number of mythic depth.

Why families chose this name.

"I was singing Fleetwood Mac through my pregnancy. The name was decided before I knew it was decided."
Sophie · Mother of one · Bristol