Girl
Welsh
3 syllables
Rhiannon
ree-AN-on
/riˈænən/
"The divine queen" — a Welsh mythic name of enchanting beauty, magical power, and timeless mystery
Rhiannon is a name of deep Welsh mythological power, derived from the Proto-Celtic Rigantona meaning 'great queen' or 'divine queen.' In the Welsh Mabinogion, Rhiannon is a mysterious otherworldly lady who rides a magical white horse, later a queen of great grace and endurance who is unjustly accused and punished but never loses her dignity. Fleetwood Mac's 1975 song Rhiannon elevated the name to global recognition, cementing its association with ethereal beauty and feminine mystique that it has never quite shaken off.
Quick Facts
Letters8
SyllablesRhi · an · non
GenderGirl
OriginWelsh
Root WordRigantona
MeaningGreat queen, divine queen
PopularityCommon
Peak Year1978
Trend
→ Stable
Nicknames
RhiRhiaNiaAnnie
About the Name Rhiannon
Rhiannon means 'great queen' or 'divine queen,' derived from the Proto-Celtic Rigantona, composed of rigani (queen) and the divine suffix -ona. In Welsh mythology she is a supernatural figure of extraordinary grace and resilience, associated with white horses and the otherworld. The name carries meanings of sovereignty, mystery, and feminine divine power.
Yes, Rhiannon is deeply and specifically Welsh. It comes from the Welsh mythological tradition and is one of the most celebrated names in Welsh literature and culture. Rhiannon is a beloved figure in Wales, and the name is used with great affection throughout the country. Outside Wales, it gained global recognition primarily through Fleetwood Mac's 1975 song.
Rhiannons are often described as mysterious, creative, and deeply intuitive. The name carries an otherworldly quality—someone who seems to operate on a slightly different, more enchanted frequency than ordinary life. People named Rhiannon tend to be artistic, emotionally perceptive, and magnetically attractive to those around them.
Rhiannon peaked in the late 1970s in the United States following the Fleetwood Mac song. It has maintained moderate popularity since, and currently sits in the top 500-600. In Wales it is considerably more popular as a cultural heritage name. It remains one of the most recognized distinctly Welsh names in the English-speaking world.
Rhiannon's three flowing syllables pair best with shorter middle names. Beautiful combinations include Rhiannon Rose, Rhiannon Wren, Rhiannon Jade, Rhiannon Claire, and Rhiannon Skye. For something ethereal, Rhiannon Fern, Rhiannon Dawn, or Rhiannon Celeste perfectly match the name's mystical energy.
Rhiannon derives from the Proto-Celtic Rigantona, meaning great queen. It developed into the Welsh Rhiannon, the name of a central figure in the Mabinogion, the cycle of Welsh mythology compiled in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. The character Rhiannon is a supernatural woman of the Other World, associated with white horses, enchantment, and unjust suffering borne with dignity. The name entered broader English use primarily through Fleetwood Mac's 1975 song.
Personality of Rhiannon
Perceived character traits commonly associated with people named Rhiannon
Creativity
92%
Elegance
90%
Independence
88%
Intelligence
86%
Strength
82%
Warmth
78%
Famous People Named Rhiannon
R
Rhiannon (Mabinogion)
Otherworldly queen and central figure of the Welsh mythological cycle
R
Rhiannon (Fleetwood Mac song)
Stevie Nicks's iconic 1975 song that brought the name to global audiences
R
Rhiannon Giddens
American singer, multi-instrumentalist, and MacArthur Fellow
R
Rhiannon Fish
Australian actress known for Home and Away
Middle Names for Rhiannon
Beautiful combinations that flow well with Rhiannon
Rhiannon Rose
Rhiannon Elise
Rhiannon Grace
Rhiannon Wren
Rhiannon Jade
Rhiannon Dawn
Rhiannon Fern
Rhiannon Skye
Rhiannon Claire
Rhiannon Celeste
Rhiannon Iris
Rhiannon Faye
Names Similar to Rhiannon
Similar Sound
Similar Meaning
History of Rhiannon
1100s
Rhiannon appears in the Welsh Mabinogion as a mysterious otherworldly queen
1400s
The Mabinogion is compiled in the White Book of Rhydderch, preserving Rhiannon's story
1975
Fleetwood Mac releases Rhiannon, making it one of the most iconic rock songs about a name
1978
Rhiannon peaks in US popularity following the song's global success
1990s
Rhiannon maintains steady use in Wales, the UK, and the United States
Numerology & Symbolism of Rhiannon
3
Destiny Number
Sum of all letters
7
Soul Urge
Sum of vowels
♍
Zodiac Affinity
Pisces
7
Lucky Number
Personal power digit
🎨
Lucky Color
Silver
💎
Lucky Stone
Moonstone
🌸
Lucky Flower
White Heather
Rhiannon Around the World
How Rhiannon is written in different languages and scripts
ريانون
Arabic
リアノン
Japanese
Рианнон
Russian
리아논
Korean
里安农
Chinese
Ριάνον
Greek
रियानन
Hindi
ריאנון
Hebrew
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