Ripley is an English unisex given name that originated as a surname derived from place names. The place name Ripley comes from Old English rippel meaning "grove, thicket" and leah meaning "clearing", so the surname referred to someone from a clearing in a grove. Multiple English towns bear this name, including Ripley in Derbyshire, Surrey, North Yorkshire, and others. Etymology and History The surname Ripley is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It first appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Ripleia in Derbyshire. Over centuries, it evolved into a hereditary surname used by various families. As a given name, Ripley has been used sparingly until recent decades, influenced partly by its strong association with notable fictional and real-life bearers, giving it an androgynous appeal. Notable Bearers The most famous fictional bearer is Ellen Ripley, the protagonist of the Alien film franchise (beginning 1979), played by Sigourney Weaver. This character is usually referred to by her surname, and her status as a strong female lead helped popularize Ripley as a first name. Real-life bearers include Ripley A. Arnold (1817–1853), a US Army major, and Ripley B. Weaver (1829–1900), an American soldier and politician. More recent bearers include actress Ripley Sobo and fashion designer Ripley Rader. As a surname, it belongs to various notable individuals, including writer Alexandra Ripley (author of Scarlett) and journalist Amanda Ripley. The name is also linked to Ripley's Believe It or Not! franchise by Robert Ripley. Namesakes and Modern Usage Today's usage as a first name leans feminine but is considered unisex. Since the Alien films, it has appeared on US birth charts for both sexes. Variant forms are rare. The surname has a few related names; its main associated English place names do not correspond to direct variants to the full extent. Notable recent celebrities Jason Jones and Samantha Bee named their child Ripley Bee-Jones, showing contemporary uptake. Meaning: "clearing where grove is" Origin: English surname from place name (Old English elements: rippel "grove" + leah "clearing") Type: Unisex first name; also common as surname Usage Regions: English-speaking countries, especially the United States, Canada, United Kingdom