Ryan is an old Irish name that means little king or young king.
The name Ryan is not Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek, so it cannot be found in the Bible. However, it has some spiritual meanings and significance connected with the Bible.
If you are a believer considering naming your child Ryan and you want to know the Bible’s position on the name, this article can help you navigate the spiritual meanings and finalize your decision.
What does Ryan mean in the Bible?
God is the King of kings and the ruler of the universe.
Psalm 47:7 says, “For God is the King of all the earth.”
God is the sovereign King because He created the heaven and the earth and the creatures in it.
We are the works of His hands. He owns us and can do whatever He pleases with us.
God does not rule over only the physical world.
He is also the head of all spiritual forces.
They tremble at His presence and bow before at His feet. His glory cannot be comprehended. His power is unmatched.
The good news is that those who believe and trust in Him are His children. And because we are His children, we have royalty flowing through our veins.
The Bible says that we have God’s Spirit in us.
What that means is that the same power, creative force, and authority Jesus has are inside of us.
Therefore, every believer is a little king because we are all connected to the Great King, who is seated on the throne in heavenly places (Psalm 103:19).
This is because we have become joint heir in Christ. Jesus Christ, who died to restore us, has given us the right to God’s throne.
We have received power and authority over the world and spiritual realms (Genesis 1:28, Luke 10:19).
Ephesians 2:6 says, “and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
The connection between Ryan and Jesus Christ
The chosen one
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9)
Kingship and royalty are one and the same.
The Bible says that those who have accepted Christ and work according to His will are the royalties.
They are the chosen ones, called by God to stand with Him and represent Him in this world.
No one becomes a king by accident. They are first chosen based on bloodline or divine ordination, as the case was in the Bible.
When God chooses a king, He sends His prophet to anoint him in front of witnesses as a sign of public declaration of the authority God has given him and a public announcement before the people that his status has changed.
Jesus was the chosen one. We see this evidence when John the Baptist baptized Him.
Matthew 3:17 says this immediately John baptized Jesus, “And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” This is a confirmation that Jesus is the chosen one.
Those who bear Ryan are ordained and anointed by God.
They are called out of the crowd to represent God and wear crowns as the kings they are.
They are ambassadors for Christ, appointed and given heavenly authority to represent God in the realm of men and rule over spirits and angels (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Therefore, being a king is a call to great responsibilities.
Servant leader
“Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.” (Matthew 20:26)
The concept of leadership, according to the Bible, is directly opposite to what the world practices.
They believe that a king should oppress his subjects, order them around, and, in some cases, tax them heavily while living lavishly through their resources. However, Jesus told His disciples that only those willing to serve are true leaders.
Therefore, a leader is supposed to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty.
They are to serve their people, catering to their needs and offering them help and support when due.
Therefore, selflessness, compassion, and service are the hallmarks of leadership, and Jesus demonstrated it well.
The Bible says, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
And we can see all around scriptures how Jesus was serving people, healing the sick, opening blind eyes and raising the dead.
He did not sit on a throne, forcing people to fall before His throne, even though He has the power to do so.
Therefore, being a king or being named Ryan is not a license to arrogance.
Instead, it’s a call to service, which must be done in humility.
We must recognize ourselves as burden lifters, helping people through their difficult states, even if it means dropping their crowns and getting their robes stained.
Authority and power
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18)
A king without authority is just a figurehead.
He is a leader in name only, without power.
He will not be respected or honored by his people. However, a king with authority is revered and feared.
His words are decrees. Jesus Christ has authority over everything.
Even the wind, trees, and the entire nature obeyed His command. Seen and unseen beings bow at the mention of His name.
He has given us the same authority He has. Luke 10:19 says, “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
Therefore, we have the same authority Jesus has to command life to come into the dead and change and overturn situations.
Naming someone Ryan as a believer acknowledges Jesus’ authority over the world and its creatures and shows that you have accepted His supremacy and submitted to His authority.
Compassion and mercy
“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36)
A leader or king without mercy or compassion is a tyrant and dictator because the plight of his people will not move him.
He will not care about the well-being and welfare of his people. However, Jesus was compassion and mercy personified. He even showed mercy on those who did not deserve it.
Jesus is so compassionate that He laid down His life for sinners.
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him” (Romans 5:8-9). This is the highest display of love.
Therefore, a king must be selfless.
Those who bear Ryan have the responsibility to always look out for the underprivileged and meet their needs accordingly.
They must also be willing to sacrifice their comfort for them.
This is crucial because a king who refuses to cater to the needs of his people leaves them vulnerable to attacks. Firstly, they become too weak to defend themselves.
Secondly, they consider every option, including negative ones, so they can survive. And lastly, they lose faith and confidence in their leader. So, being a king at home, work, or in the community does not come cheap.
One must sacrifice time, energy, and money to be effective and impactful.
Wisdom and knowledge
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” (Luke 2:52)
Wisdom is a top quality every leader must possess. Even Jesus, the Son of God, searched for wisdom.
The Bible records that Jesus was at the temple at twelve years old, learning with the priests and teachers for three days (Luke 2:41-52).
His hunger for superior spiritual knowledge gave Him an edge over other children His age and made Him the greatest leader.
Being named Ryan does not mean having automatic access to wisdom.
One must pursue and acquire it. Proverbs 23:23 says, “Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.”
Wisdom sets great men apart from ordinary men.
Therefore, those who bear Ryan have the responsibility to pursue knowledge and wisdom by asking God as King Solomon did and paying experts to teach them things they do not know.
What lies inside the head is more important than what a king wears on it. A crown has value only if the king proves it by displaying a profound level of wisdom and understanding.
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David Akeju is a Christian writer who believes in the transformational power of God’s Word. His articles and books have been published on global platforms, and thousands of lives have been touched. He works with pastors and ministers, churches and ministries, and brands.