River Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, Boy Names Like River

River Name Origin: English
Pronunciation: rih-ver
See what 28 people think about River

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River Name Meaning

The name River carries strong and powerful meanings. It is associated with strength, power, and nature. It also has symbolic meanings, such as flowing freely, being connected to nature, and having depth.

Origins of the Name River

The name River has a long-standing history and origin. As mentioned before, it is believed to have originated from the Old English name Rifig, which was derived from the Old English word rif, meaning “river”. This name was popular in Britain during the Middle Ages and was used to name rivers, mountains, and other geographical features.

The name River also has its roots in French, where it was used to refer to a “small stream” that ran through a village. The name was later adopted by the English and eventually spread to other parts of the world.

Popularity of the Name River

The name River has been used as a given name for boys since the late 1800s. River is a popular name for boys and is especially popular in the United States. According to the Social Security Administration, River was the 474th most popular name for boys in 2019. It has been steadily increasing in popularity since it first appeared on the list in 1997.

Final Thoughts on the Name River

River is a strong and powerful name with a long-standing history and origin. It carries symbolic meanings of strength, power, and nature, and has been steadily increasing in popularity in recent years. Whether you are looking for a name that is symbolic or simply popular, River is a great choice for your little one.

River Name Popularity

How popular is the name River? Here’s everything we know.

Year	Rank	# Births	% Births
1910	—	0	0%
1911	—	0	0%
1912	—	0	0%
1913	—	0	0%
1914	—	0	0%
1915	—	0	0%
1916	—	0	0%
1917	—	0	0%
1918	—	0	0%
1919	—	0	0%
1920	—	0	0%
1921	—	0	0%
1922	—	0	0%
1923	—	0	0%
1924	—	0	0%
1925	—	0	0%
1926	—	0	0%
1927	—	0	0%
1928	—	0	0%
1929	—	0	0%
1930	—	0	0%
1931	—	0	0%
1932	—	0	0%
1933	—	0	0%
1934	—	0	0%
1935	—	0	0%
1936	—	0	0%
1937	—	0	0%
1938	—	0	0%
1939	—	0	0%
1940	—	0	0%
1941	—	0	0%
1942	—	0	0%
1943	—	0	0%
1944	—	0	0%
1945	—	0	0%
1946	—	0	0%
1947	—	0	0%
1948	—	0	0%
1949	—	0	0%
1950	—	0	0%
1951	—	0	0%
1952	—	0	0%
1953	—	0	0%
1954	—	0	0%
1955	—	0	0%
1956	—	0	0%
1957	—	0	0%
1958	—	0	0%
1959	—	0	0%
1960	—	0	0%
1961	—	0	0%
1962	—	0	0%
1963	—	0	0%
1964	—	0	0%
1965	—	0	0%
1966	—	0	0%
1967	—	0	0%
1968	—	0	0%
1969	—	0	0%
1970	—	0	0%
1971	—	0	0%
1972	—	0	0%
1973	—	0	0%
1974	—	0	0%
1975	—	0	0%
1976	—	0	0%
1977	—	0	0%
1978	—	0	0%
1979	—	0	0%
1980	—	0	0%
1981	—	0	0%
1982	—	0	0%
1983	—	0	0%
1984	—	0	0%
1985	—	0	0%
1986	—	0	0%
1987	1,995	6	0.0004%
1988	—	0	0%
1989	1,886	11	0.0007%
1990	2,159	7	0.0004%
1991	—	0	0%
1992	2,077	10	0.0006%
1993	1,881	12	0.0008%
1994	983	77	0.005%
1995	638	216	0.0143%
1996	626	229	0.0153%
1997	523	341	0.0231%
1998	493	399	0.0267%
1999	553	318	0.0212%
2000	605	276	0.0181%
2001	608	276	0.0183%
2002	626	271	0.0181%
2003	569	348	0.0229%
2004	546	380	0.0249%
2005	522	429	0.0281%
2006	503	476	0.0304%
2007	574	410	0.026%
2008	449	587	0.038%
2009	442	591	0.0395%
2010	429	604	0.0419%
2011	421	609	0.0427%
2012	399	689	0.0484%
2013	368	801	0.0563%
2014	284	1,226	0.0841%
2015	241	1,495	0.1027%
2016	211	1,830	0.1269%
2017	200	1,924	0.1379%
2018	196	2,029	0.1477%
2019	167	2,344	0.1732%
2020	130	2,722	0.2139%
2021	110	3,448	0.2821%
2022	105	3,460	0.2623%
2023	116	3,111	0.2404%

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Maine (ME)

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Minnesota (MN)

Missouri (MO)

Mississippi (MS)

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New Mexico (NM)

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Wisconsin (WI)

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Wyoming (WY)

Data via SSA.gov.

Names Like River

If you like River, you’ll love these other names like River.

What names are variants of River?

Mix it up with these names that are a variation of the name River.

Name	Meaning	Origin	Popularity	Other Gender
Rivers	Rivers	English

What names sound like River?

If you like how River sounds, you might also like these names that sound like River.

Name	Meaning	Origin	Popularity	Other Gender
Rafer		Spanish
Rover	Traveler, wanderer	English

Lists With River

Find inspiration in these baby boy name lists featuring the name River.

Siblings of River

Mamas with kids named River also have kids with these names.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Austin	Great	English
Fielding	The field	English
Madison	Son of Maud	English
Ireland	Country of Ireland	Irish
Penn	Enclosure; hill	English
Branch	Paw; extension	Latin
Tevin	Handsome	American
Nayeli	I love you	Native American
Juniper	Juniper tree	English

Share Your Thoughts

28 Comments

Sam Oct 4 at 7:18 am

We wanted something nature-inspired, simple, gender-neutral, and unique. River was my suggestion, I thought it might be a little too “hippie dippie” for my husband but he ended up loving it. And we love that we don’t know anyone else with the same name

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Stephanie Feb 4 at 3:29 pm

Our family spends a lot of time outdoors and this past year. We took to trout fishing in our mountain creeks and streams in central Virginia. We have a larger river near us, called the James river, and on the weekends we would have a river day that became our Sabbath and happy place. I didn’t know it but the first seven hour trip we took floating down the river, I was actually pregnant with our 2nd boy. I was so fatigued by the end from rowing!
There are also some great verses in the Bible that speak of Peace like a River. We love this symbolism and hope and pray our boy will grow up bringing peace whereever he goes.

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Jessica Dec 20 at 2:42 am

We live nature and natural things. There is something about being near a river that is peaceful and calm. I like the energy that name brings.

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River Nov 2 at 9:25 am

My name is River. I get a lot of compliments, and no matter how popular the name is becoming, it’s still a great name that creates beautiful and peaceful thoughts. I grew up fishing and on the water, so it fits good.

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Paige Nov 5 at 9:51 am

My husband always wanted a boy named River from the time he was a child and saw the actor, River Phoenix in Stand by Me.
I love the name because Rivers have always been places I’ve gone for meditation and spiritual insight.

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Emily Jul 22 at 2:07 pm

I absolutely love the name! My younger sister does too. It’s basically a race to see who is going to have a child (mainly a boy) first.?

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Ashley May 15 at 8:53 pm

We chose the River because our last name is Jordan. In our faith the River Jodan is a huge place of significance. It was a place of transformation and change and of healing. It’s also where God declared his love and pleasure for his son Jesus. It’s my prayer that my son always knows he is dearly loved, that I take great pleasure in him. I also pray that he is part of the change and healing that this world desperately needs.

I also wanted a unique name for my child. My only disappointment is how common this name has become.

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Kayla May 9 at 2:08 am

We chose River because of our spiritual practices as Pagans. He’s an aquarius and we wanted something unique and powerful. We had no idea it was actually becoming popular. That’s the only thing I don’t like. We didn’t settle on a name until I was about 8 months pregnant. So far he’s been super advanced and has such a social and bright personality.

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Kelley Oct 11 at 1:35 pm

I chose river because I just love the name! It seems peaceful and I genuinely adore it!

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Beth Oct 8 at 8:18 pm

My son’s name is River and his little sister’s name is Brook. A lot of people compliment me on his name. I love it!

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Sara Oct 1 at 5:52 pm

I like fishing and wanted to give him a nature name.
I just like it.
He’s a great baby. Love him so much. It’s River Bear.

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Angie Jul 28 at 7:51 am

This name sounds so peaceful and happy

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Pinar Jul 15 at 3:56 pm

He was born in Alaska where there is a lot of beautiful rivers

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Sarah Jun 15 at 7:06 am

I love the energy of rivers, and I love nature inspired names.

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Mama Mar 11 at 12:08 pm

Dad picked the name. I dont dislike it, he’s an amazing and strong fighter

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Mama Feb 14 at 7:55 pm

I chose the name River because for one it’s where me and his dad met and it’s where we spend most our time . Where we have had our best memories , and probably where he was conceived lol

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julie Jan 2 at 5:16 pm

My husband and i are almost sure we are going to name our son River. We keep going over different options, normal names, safe names, top list names, family names and foreign names. Normal and safe become plain boring after trying them out for weeks. Top list names are okay but too many in one classroom/grade. We’ve experienced family names can be confusing for multiple people. Last, foreign names feel too out of place lolo. We are hard working people, we’ve traveled the world, we don’t take things to seriously, and we love nature. River might be our first choice!

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Samantha Nov 2 at 3:49 am

My husband picked it, we both thought it was a unique, strong yet gentle name.
I dislike that so many people are using this name now, it takes away from its orginality.

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- Edie Mar 1 at 2:48 am
  
  Yes I agree! Literally since I was a kid I have thought of this name… Literally I knew no one with the name or anyone who would use that name…this year we had our son and it has a lot of meaning to us in a few areas.. and as soon as we uniquely name him River, we find out it’s now up and coming in popularity unfortunately -_-
  
  Reply
- Beth Oct 8 at 8:20 pm
  
  Same. When I had my son in 2008 I knew noone named river. Shortly after I knew of a boy and a girl named river. I like to be different than everyone else. Oh well. Its still pretty uncommon I guess. 🙂
  
  Reply
Ma Sep 25 at 7:38 pm

I wanted a very natural name and river just called to me

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Jessica Aug 23 at 8:46 am

We wanted to give him a first name that was original, not a family name. We love the water and water sports and live near several water sources. Also, one of our favorite band’s lead singer is named River. Attending their concerts were some of the most memorable moments in our marriage prior to River’s arrival. We gave him a middle name that was generational on his father’s side dating back into the late 1600s, as far back that we can trace.

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Sherry Fowler Apr 24 at 10:12 am

I chose the name River because one of his older brothers name is Branch. I was trying to get them all to match. A Branch of water is River. I like the name River because it isn’t a very common name.

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Haley Feb 9 at 10:23 am

We chose River almost immediately after browsing baby name sites. It felt so peaceful and natural. The imagery that I picture in my head when I think about his name is a cozy little riverbank at a cottage somewhere. I picture that babbling water flowing past and in so many ways it feels like our son River flowed naturally to us remnant of his name.

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Becky Nov 4 at 11:33 am

We chose the name River because my partner and I both love the outdoors and the rivers hold a special place in our hearts.

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Melissa Fehling Sep 22 at 10:44 am

I had the name River picked out years before I was even pregnant or planning to get pregnant. Luckily, my husband liked it too when I told him the name of our first born! Ha ha. Besides being an outdoorsy couple and having a deep love of nature, water is also very healing to me and I have loved being near it from a very young age. It is vital to all life, and it is an element we hope to share often with our son as he gets older (hiking, backpacking, fly fishing etc.). Rivers are constant, they bring movement and change to their environment, provide and nourish the land and the ecosystem they are founded in, and are steady and fierce all at once. I hope the same for our son.

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Jamie Aug 29 at 4:25 pm

As soon as the name was mentioned we knew that this would be the perfect name for our first son.

I’ve heard the name River quite often but it’s still pretty unique.

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Cheryl Apr 13 at 12:06 pm

We chose the name River for our little boy because on the night he was conceived both me and my partner dreamt about a little boy in water. It was really magical. When we found out we were having a boy we had a hard time choosing a name until we thought of River.. we knew it was perfect. To us it represents strength, free flow in life and a harbor for life and creativity.

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