Ryan for a girl?

adelheidster

My middle name is Ryan, after my mom's maiden name.  I would love to include it in our child's name.  We plan on using it for a middle name if we have a boy or a girl, but it is also growing on me as a first name for a girl. I realize it's generally a boy's name, but I do know a couple girl Ryans as well.  Thoughts?  Right now I am leaning towards Leigh as a middle name.

LittleMissParis

I've heard of Ryan for a girl and definitely think it can work.  Cute!

alliejo725

I actually like Ryan for a girl, but just as a warning, no one else on this board will---especially with a unisex MN like Leigh.

Something more feminine (like Ryan Jane, Ryan Elizabeth, Ryan Estelle) would balance the name and make it girlier.

BlindysWife

forensicmama

Please don't! Honor your mom by using it as your daughter's middle name.

MrsR0908

I love Ryan as a girls name but not sure about Ryan Leigh. 

tiesq

I think its fine for a first name, but I love the idea of giving your daughter your mom's maiden name as a middle name. 

crystal959

My 17 year old sister has a friend named Ryann. I've never been a fan. 

streamtrax41

Ryan was going to be my name if I were a boy and I've always loved it for a girl. I prefer an alternate spelling though. I know a Ryanne, but I prefer Rian. For me, it has familial significance (after my uncle Brian). Alas, DH vetoed it. Figures. I think Ryan Leigh sounds nice, but a little choppy. I would probably prefer a longer mn. GL!

MegZRN

I like it because of the background. Although I do like it spelled Rian to make it a bit more feminine. I agree with PP that if you use the spelling Ryan you should pick a more feminine MN

Malibuxo

I like it.

braveangel2

I prefer the Welsh, spelling Rhian, so you can actually tell you're dealing with a girl. I understand the appeal, but Ryan on a girl, especially this spelling goes against everything I love dearly about this name on a boy. Unfortunately, because it's a maiden name spelling for you, I'd save it for a boy. Your parents solved it by putting it as your middle name...I say middle name for a girl or first name on a boy.

pms1

I don't think Ryan is bad for a girl, but I do agree if you decide to use it the middle name should be a little more feminine. 

adelheidster

Our last name is pretty long (starts with a Z), so I am trying to keep the middle name to one or two syllables, just so the full name doesn't get too ridiculously long! 

ara_cale

In HS I had a friend named Ryan (a girl) who had a fraternal twin Howard (boy).  I always wondered if maybe they just thought they were having two boys and when they found out that they'd had a girl they just gave her Ryan.  I'm sure that's not what happened, but I've disliked the name Ryan for a girl ever since.  If you absolutely must use it, I would go with the traditional spelling and a much more feminine middle name so that on a resume or other document people can figure out what gender she is.  

TripMomma

I like unisex names, I have a DD named Hayden, but I just don't see Ryan as unisex and don't like it for a girl at all.

LMS05

I've never met a female named Ryan. I had no idea people named their daughter's Ryan until I came on this board. I strongly dislike it. Use it for a middle name.

shopgirl_07

I love Ryan for a girl. I don't think it's all that uncommon or weird for a girl. I met a little girl named Ryan a while ago and she was the sweetest little thing.

sparkymcgeee

My SIL's name is Ryan. As a result she deals with "Oh, I thought you were a guy." I deal with "Is your brother gay?" Boy names for girls are just annoying to me. I wouldn't want my daughter to have to deal with that.

pinkflipflops44

I'd keep it as a middle name.  But then, I don't like Ryan for a girl's first name.

peonie222

I LOVE Ryan as a girl's name. Love it. I know several Ryans, all over the age of 25. I actually think it's very feminine....

msmerymac

I like it. I'd probably go with a longer, feminine middle name. I also wouldn't change the spelling, since the name has meaning to you.

shellybird101

DONT DO IT.  name that cute little girl a GIRL name and save our boy names for BOYS!!!!!!!! Thank you thats my rant

MamaMandaW

IMO, I think that if you have to ask "Ryan for a girl?" then it's a no.

and Rian, Ryann, and Ryanne are pronounced differently IMo

Ryan- rye-IN

Rian- RHEE-ann

Ryann/Ryanne- Rye-ANN

summersoff17

yes, I went to junior high with a girl named Ryan

mlf625

Love it, given the meaning it holds for you.  Just give her a more feminine middle name.

MrsD1

MamaMandaW:

IMO, I think that if you have to ask "Ryan for a girl?" then it's a no.

This. I went to school with a girl named Ryan and she hated her first name because she was always confused with a boy. She went by her middle name.

KallieandJustin

I don't like it at all for a little girl, however the one girl that I know whose name is Ryan spelled it Ryanne.

stephanie_shoe

Love it-- and my middle name is Leigh so I like it. 

loveyoubean

Not a fan... it is a boy's name.

ABColeslaw

go for it!  I know two female Ryans. 

Odessa9000

braveangel2:

I prefer the Welsh, spelling Rhian, so you can actually tell you're dealing with a girl. I understand the appeal, but Ryan on a girl, especially this spelling goes against everything I love dearly about this name on a boy. Unfortunately, because it's a maiden name spelling for you, I'd save it for a boy. Your parents solved it by putting it as your middle name...I say middle name for a girl or first name on a boy.

Rhian is a cool way of spelling it! I say go with your gut. I always thought the name Kyle was a boy's and one of the Housewives of Beverly Hills is named that. 

MelleTX

My brother was a Ryan. He passed away in 2009. My other brother just had a daughter, middle name Ryan. I think it is beautiful.

1medicwife

I'm not a fan of using boy names for girls, but I sadly have to admit that Ryan is growing on me as a little girl's name. I still dont think I personally would ever use it though.

Most importantly, I love how it has a meaning for you and your family. In this instance I say go for it .... also agree to add a more girly MN .... I love Ryan Jane.