-
River Name Origin: English
-
Pronunciation: rih-ver
-
See what 9 people think about River
River Name Meaning
The name River has a flowy, free-spirited feel to it, much like the natural feature it’s named after. But where did the name come from and why is it so popular? Let’s dive in and find out!
A Brief History of the Name River
The name River has been around for centuries, but it wasn’t always a popular choice for baby names. In fact, it wasn’t used as a given name at all in the past. The word “river” is derived from the Old English “rivere,” which simply meant “a large stream of water.” It wasn’t until more recent times that the name River started to be used as a first name.
Rising Popularity
River started to gain popularity as a given name in the late 20th century. In the United States, the name River first appeared on the Social Security Administration’s list of most popular baby names in the year 2000, and it has been increasing in popularity ever since. The name River is now considered a unisex name, and can be used for both boys and girls.
Meaning of the Name
The name River brings to mind the natural feature of a flowing body of water. Rivers are considered symbols of life and renewal, as they provide a source of water for animals and plants to thrive. The name River also has a strong association with freedom and movement, as rivers are always on the move and never stay in one place for long.
Celebrity Inspiration
One of the reasons for the increase in popularity of the name River is the influence of famous people who have borne the name. River Phoenix, the actor who appeared in films such as “Stand by Me” and “My Own Private Idaho,” passed away in 1993, but his legacy lives on. Additionally, the name River has been used by a number of other celebrities for their children, including Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, who named their daughter James (River).
In Conclusion
The name River is a beautiful and unique choice for a baby name, with a strong association with the natural world and a sense of freedom and movement. It’s no wonder that the name has become increasingly popular in recent years. So, whether you’re naming your baby boy or girl, River is a perfect name for a child who is sure to make a splash in the world!
Infographic of River name meaning, which is Derived for the word describing a flowing body of water, River is an English name.
Ask your friends & family about River…
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 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1988 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1989 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1990 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1991 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1992 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1993 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1994 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1995 |
3,858 |
5 |
0.0003% |
| 1996 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1997 |
3,804 |
5 |
0.0003% |
| 1998 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1999 |
2,568 |
16 |
0.0011% |
| 2000 |
3,816 |
5 |
0.0003% |
| 2001 |
2,385 |
21 |
0.0014% |
| 2002 |
2,671 |
15 |
0.001% |
| 2003 |
2,636 |
16 |
0.0011% |
| 2004 |
1,848 |
46 |
0.003% |
| 2005 |
2,127 |
33 |
0.0022% |
| 2006 |
1,316 |
115 |
0.0073% |
| 2007 |
1,103 |
177 |
0.0112% |
| 2008 |
1,030 |
197 |
0.0127% |
| 2009 |
951 |
224 |
0.015% |
| 2010 |
934 |
213 |
0.0148% |
| 2011 |
878 |
239 |
0.0168% |
| 2012 |
644 |
383 |
0.0269% |
| 2013 |
579 |
443 |
0.0311% |
| 2014 |
448 |
665 |
0.0456% |
| 2015 |
341 |
922 |
0.0634% |
| 2016 |
273 |
1,107 |
0.0768% |
| 2017 |
264 |
1,140 |
0.0817% |
| 2018 |
237 |
1,307 |
0.0951% |
| 2019 |
208 |
1,397 |
0.1032% |
| 2020 |
181 |
1,520 |
0.1194% |
| 2021 |
149 |
1,751 |
0.1432% |
District of Columbia (DC)
Data via SSA.gov.
Lists With River
Find inspiration in these baby girl name lists featuring the name River.
