Rearden is an English given name derived from an Irish surname, itself a variant of Riordan. The surname Rearden originated as an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Ríoghbhárdáin, which meant "descendant of Rígbarddán." This root given name, Rígbarddán, combines Old Irish rí "king," bard "poet," and a diminutive suffix, thus carrying the meaning of "little poet of the king."Notable BearersWhile Rearden is uncommon as a first name, it is recognized as a surname, notably among American families. According to the 2010 United States Census, Rearden ranked 32,365th most frequent surname, borne by 711 individuals, predominantly of White ethnicity (85.65%). The surname has been carried by figures such as the American industrialist Howard Rearden (fictional character in Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged), but as a given name, its usage remains rare and modern.Related FormsRearden is closely related to the more common Irish surname Riordan, from which it derives. Variants such as O'Riordan, Reardon, and Riordan itself share the same root meaning and historical origin in County Cork, Ireland. The evolution from Rígbarddán through Anglicization demonstrates typical patterns of Irish name adaptation into English.Meaning: "Little poet of the king" (through root Rígbarddán)Origin: Irish surname, variant of RiordanType: Given name (masculine), also surnameUsage Regions: English-speaking countries, especially United States and Ireland