Riannon

Riannon is a variant of Rhiannon, a name rooted in Welsh mythology and ultimately derived from the unattested Celtic name Rīgantonā, meaning "great queen" (from Celtic rīganī "queen" and the divine suffix -on). This ancient name is thought to have belonged to a Celtic goddess associated with fertility and horses, akin to the Gaulish Epona.

Etymology and Mythological Background

In Welsh mythology, as recorded in the Mabinogi, Rhiannon is a prominent figure (one of the first named women in British literature to show both sovereignty and personal will) who appears as a beautiful, otherworldly woman riding a white horse. She rejects an unwanted betrothal to Gwawl and cunningly marries Pwyll, prince of Dyfed. Their son is Pryderi. The Mabinogi portrays her as a strong queen, eloquent and generous, embodying both magical and human traits​.

Modern Usage and Popularity

Rhiannon gained widespread use as a personal name after being immortalized in the 1976 Fleetwood Mac song "Rhiannon," which tells a story of a mystical woman. Consequently, the name—and its variants like Riannon, Reannon, and Rhianon—became popular in English-speaking countries, especially the United Kingdom and Australia. The spelling Riannon retains the mythological charm while offering a simpler orthography, which is also similar to the related Irish name Rían or Ríona.

• Meaning: "Great queen" (from Celtic rīgantonā)
• Origin: Welsh variant of Rhiannon, from British Celtic mythology
• Type: First name
• Usage Regions: Mainly English-speaking countries (USA, UK, Australia, Canada)