River
A unisex name of Latin origin, meaning flowing water; nature name.
How River has moved
View as table
| Year | US rank |
|---|---|
| 2015 | #243 |
| 2016 | #212 |
| 2017 | #200 |
| 2018 | #197 |
| 2019 | #168 |
| 2020 | #129 |
| 2021 | #110 |
| 2022 | #105 |
| 2023 | #116 |
| 2024 | #112 |
| 2025 | #111 |
River by the numbers
In 2025, 481 babies in England and Wales were named River. In the US, 3,114 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
It is used at about the same rate on both sides of the Atlantic.
Its best year in America so far is the most recent one on record, which means it was still climbing when the records end.
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of River. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
- Riversdweller by the river; a place name109 in the US (2017)
- Rivensplit or torn apart16 in England and Wales (2025)
- Rileyvaliant; rye clearing7,797 in the US (2017)
- Rydermounted warrior, cavalry soldier3,324 in the US (2017)
- Ravendark-haired; from the bird name742 in the US (2017)
- Revel23 in the US (2017)
Sounds like River
Names that are said the same way as River, however they are written. Sounding alike does not mean they share a history.
- Ryver10 in England and Wales (2025)
Other names that mean water
Like River, each of these has water in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Mayaillusion; mother; water1,259 in England and Wales (2025)
- Maxwellgreat spring; place name3,118 in the US (2017)
- Brooksof the small stream1,938 in the US (2017)
- Beckettbee keeper or stream; a surname used as a given name1,763 in the US (2017)
- Brookesmall stream1,616 in the US (2017)
- Beckhamhomestead with a stream1,280 in the US (2017)
Names about as common as River
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