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Hmm, I thoguht it originally came from 'O'Reilly' and was shortened then changed, but of course it's up to you. The important thing is not what we think, but what you think, which do you prefer?
we cant really decide, my dp likes completely different names to those i do. These are 2 that we agree on, we had sort of decided on Riley, but i have thrown Bailey into the mix. My DS wants to call the baby Shonka!!!. so definately need to find something we agree on.
I am happy to receiev all thoughts positive and negative, and will make my own mind up. just curious what people thought.
Assuming similar is happening here as in the US, they are now also used as girl's names (as happened with other surnamey names like Mackenzie & Taylor) which can be hard on a boy, especially at school if there is a girl of the same name in the same class.
Bailey's definately the nicest. When I worked in a shop, a chav mum used to come in and shout 'RILLLLLLLLEEEEEYYYYYY' at her son and it put me right off the name forever.
It's your choice though. We listened to no one about our favourite names and if anyone slagged them off, I chose to totally ignore it.
Plus loads of people feel the need to call their children things like Edward and William and more royal, traditional names for fear of being dubbed chavvy.
I take your point Cheesesarnie but your example of Sam comes from two distinct names in their own right, Samuel & Samantha, whilst Riley or Bailey are unisex names and it can be tough on a boy if there are girls school of the same name.
On a girl it might be perceived as quirky, tomboyish but a boy called Hilary is always going to be in for a rough ride.
If the OP likes American surnamey names, I'd avoid ones ending in -ie or -y sounds as they tend to get feminised & go for more masc sounding ones like Tate, Tanner, Rider, Hunter etc
If I was pushed out of the 2, I'd choose Riley over Bailey.
I know a Bailey. Or it may be Baila actually, I haven't liked to ask.
She is a girl
Aparently Bailey is a girl's name in US??
I also know a Riley (boy) whose surname is a first name too which makes it confusing imo (ie his name sounds backwards, like Riley Andrew, so should be Andrew Riley [not his actual name].)
I think that may be the risk with both these names (not a prob of course if your surname is Featherstone or Smith or Hindmarch or Prodfoot of course).
I also am not keen on names used for boys and girls. I have one actually. Heated that's a good point about a boy with what is now a girl's name too. Yes a boy called Evelyn or Carol or Hilary - not great is it?
My name is used loads and loads for dogs [specifically labs and retrievers] funnily enough though it is hugely popular for humans too. Doesn't suit dogs if you ask me
thank you everyone, gosh i didnt realise so many people would have an opinion. We are still undecided, so i may have to come up with some others, as i would think everyone thought he was named after an animal of some sort. i think names are a very personal choice, and you either love it or hate it. Thanks again for your thoughts.
I like both but prefer Ryley with a Y instead of an I. Also like Bayley with a Y instead of an I. Mybe I just dont like Y's LOL. Both are lovely for a boy.
I prefer Riley and I know a few too - both male and female.
Ignore all the comments about them being surnames - many now commonly used, first names were once surnames (and besides that both have been popular first names in the USA for years).
, so I'd probably go for Bailey if I was choosing between them. 
We are still undecided, so i may have to come up with some others, as i would think everyone thought he was named after an animal of some sort. i think names are a very personal choice, and you either love it or hate it. Thanks again for your thoughts. 
