Rheanna

Rheanna is a modern variant of Rhianna. Rhianna itself is probably a variant of Rhiannon, which ultimately derives from the unattested Celtic name *Rīgantonā, meaning "great queen" (from the Celtic root *rīganī meaning "queen" and the divine or augmentative suffix -on-).

In Celtic mythology, Rigantona is speculated to have been a goddess associated with fertility and horses, similar to the Gaulish Epona. In Welsh legend, Rhiannon appears in the Mabinogi as a beautiful, magical woman riding a white horse. She was betrothed against her will to Gwawl, but cleverly broke that engagement to marry Pwyll. Their son was Pryderi.

As an English given name, Rhiannon gained popularity after the 1976 Fleetwood Mac song "Rhiannon," particularly in the United Kingdom and Australia. The spelling Rheanna emerges as a contemporary variation within English-speaking contexts. Related variants include Reanna and Rhianna, both phonetically similar.

Popularity and Distribution

Rheanna is primarily used in English-speaking countries, though it is not among the most common names. It is often chosen for its melodic sound and connection to the mythic Rhiannon. The double "n" spelling also may reflect influence from names like Brianna or Hannah.

• Meaning: "great queen" (via Rhiannon)
• Origin: Celtic (Welsh mythology)
• Type: Variant of Rhianna / Rhiannon
• Usage regions: English-speaking, especially UK, Australia, USA