Riley Green Reveals the Bittersweet Family Story Behind His Name
Some fans probably already know that Riley Green’s legal first name is actually Johnathan. Riley is more than just a stage name, though: It’s been his preferred name his whole life.
“I don’t even think I would turn if I heard [someone call me Johnathan],” the star told Audacy’s Katie & Company last week.
It’s no wonder that his family has always chosen to call him Riley. There’s a sweet significance behind the name that dates back a few generations.
Why Did Riley Green’s Parents Name Him Riley?
Green tells Katie & Company that, while Riley isn’t technically a family name, it definitely did come from a family story.
“I know that I got the name Riley because my great-granddaddy Paul, who I didn’t know, got a little dementia, and he started calling my dad Riley,” he explains. “My dad’s name is Kevon.”
Because of that story, he says, his parents decided to pass the name down to their “first son.”
Who Are Riley Green’s Parents + Siblings?
Riley Green’s parents are Kevon and Karen Green. His mother frequently shares posts supporting Green’s career on social media.
Green and is father are close. On Father’s Day 2024, he shared a post celebrating “the man who taught me how to swing a hammer, how to always grab the heavy end, and always called me ‘dude’ when I was a kid (made me feel cool.)”
Green has two sister, Lindy and Casey, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Does Riley Green Want to Have Children Someday?
Yes. In conversation with Billboard earlier this month, the singer said that being a dog dad and spending time with his nieces and nephews is preparing him to be a father himself one day.
“I think about it a lot,” he acknowledged.
But Green doesn’t envision fatherhood in his immediate future.
“At this point in my life, I don’t know how I could do it,” he admits. “So things are going to have to slow down and get a little bit more of a sense of normalcy before I could really think about settling down and having a family.”
