Gender Masculine Usage English (Modern) Pronounced Pron. /ˈɹaɪ.dəɹ/(American English) /ˈɹaɪ.də/(British English) Meaning & History From an English occupational surname derived from Old English ridere meaning "mounted warrior" or "messenger". It has grown in popularity in the 2000s because it starts with the same sound found in other popular names like Ryan and Riley.