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Updated August 7, 2024

Table of contents

Girl name origins & meanings

  • English : River; by the riverbank

What does River mean and stand for?

The name River is of English origin and refers to a body of flowing water. It is derived from the Latin word ripa, meaning "riverbank".

Syllables: 2

Boy name origins & meanings

  • English : River; by the riverbank

What does River mean and stand for?

The name River is of English origin and refers to a body of flowing water. It is derived from the Latin word ripa, meaning "riverbank".

Syllables: 2

Boy name variations

How Popular Is The Name River

Family name origins & meanings

  • Possibly English (see Rivers), or an Americanized form of a like-sounding name in some other language, perhaps German Riffer (see Riffey).

Famous people who gave their babies this name

Popularity

According to Social Security Administration data, as a boys' name, River has been rapidly increasing in popularity, breaking the top 200 in 2018 and jumping ranks since. It broke the top 130 for the first time in 2020. As a girls’ name, River is rapidly gaining popularity, breaking the top 200 for the first time in 2020. That same year, it reached a peak of rank of 186.

However, it is the 3rd most popular name on FamilyEducation.com.

According to Google search data analysis, in the last five years River was at its peak popularity in July 2018.

River is a nature name that has recently been rising in popularity. The late actor River Jude Phoenix was one of the most notable namesakes, and his famous actor brother Joaquin Phoenix named his son River in his honor. Other namesakes include actor River Shields, model River Viiperi, singer River Matthews, and guitarist River John Reeves. River has also been a popular name for celebrity children, having been chosen by singer Taylor Hanson, actress Keri Russell, actor Sean Harland Murray, actor Josh Stewart, actress Daniela Ruah, singer Jackie Jackson, actress Megan Fox, country singer Granger Smith, and actor Jeff Goldblum.

Where is it Popular?

River was searched for most often in the following states:

Nicknames for River

  • Ri
  • Rio
  • Riv
  • Rivvy

Pairs well with these middle names for boys

 

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