Rian

Rian is a given name used in various cultures, predominantly in Ireland and English-speaking countries. In Ireland, Rian is sometimes treated as a Gaelic form related to Ryan, and it can appear in Irish spelling as Rían with an accent. The exact origin is not definitively established, but the name is commonly associated with Gaelic roots linked to kingship or rulership.

The name is generally masculine in most contexts, though modern usage can be unisex in some cases. It is less common than its more widespread variant Ryan, but it appears in contemporary naming practices and is found in diverse cultures.

Notable people named Rian include Rian Johnson, an American filmmaker known for works such as Brick, The Brothers Bloom, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and Rian Malan, a South African journalist and author of My Traitor's Heart. There are other individuals named Rian in music, sports, and the arts, reflecting its continued use in modern naming.

As a surname, Rian is rare and less documented than its given-name use. The name is sometimes confused with Ryan, which shares the same underlying Gaelic origins but has become more common as a surname and given name in many regions.