How to say it
RIGGS
rɪɡz
Masculine
Riggs
Dweller by the ridge
What it means
An English surname from Old English hrycg, 'ridge,' for someone who lived on or by a ridge.
Riggs is an English and Scottish surname from Old English hrycg (later Middle English rigge), 'ridge,' reinforced in the north by the related Old Norse hryggr. It was a topographic name for someone who lived on or beside a ridge, with the final -s marking 'of the ridge' or 'son of the ridge dweller.' The earliest records reach back to the 12th century. As a first name it is a recent, punchy one-syllable surname pick with an outdoorsy, rugged feel. It eased down slightly in the 2025 US rankings.
How to spell Riggs
The standard spelling is Riggs. Common variants include Rigg, Riggan, but Riggs is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #669 in 2024, currently #776 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pronunciation
Rhymes with 'jigs,' one syllable.
Spelling variants
- Rigg
- Riggan
Names with the same feeling
See Riggs from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Riggs mean?
- An English surname from Old English hrycg, 'ridge,' for someone who lived on or by a ridge.
- What does Riggs mean in English?
- In English, Riggs means "Dweller by the ridge." Riggs is an English and Scottish surname from Old English hrycg (later Middle English rigge), 'ridge,' reinforced in the north by the related Old Norse hryggr. It was a topographic name for someone who lived on or beside a ridge, with the final -s marking 'of the ridge' or 'son of the ridge dweller.' The earliest records reach back to the 12th century. As a first name it is a recent, punchy one-syllable surname pick with an outdoorsy, rugged feel. It eased down slightly in the 2025 US rankings.
- How do you pronounce Riggs?
- Riggs is pronounced rɪɡz. Say it as RIGGS, with the stress on the "riggs" syllable.
- How do you spell Riggs?
- The standard spelling is Riggs. Common spelling variants include Rigg, Riggan.
- Is Riggs a boy or girl name?
- Riggs is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Riggs?
- Riggs ranked #776 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.