Boy · 166th of 23,106
River
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
54,754
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2022
Peak Popularity Year
5,421
Peak Births
Generational story
Where River stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name River has English origins, referring to a flowing body of water. It evolved from the Old English term 'rīfre' and has gained popularity in modern times as a nature-inspired name. The name carries connotations of tranquility and is used as a gender-neutral option. There is no significant biblical relevance associated with this name.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈrɪvər/
Origin
English
Etymology
The name 'River' is derived from the English word for a large natural stream of water flowing in a channel to the sea, a lake, or another such stream.
Meaning
A flowing body of water.
Language Evolution
Old English: 'rīfre', Middle English: 'river'
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the late 20th century as a nature-inspired name for children, reflecting a trend towards using nature-related terms as given names.
Variants & Derivatives
Rivers, Rivera
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name River is seen as modern, nature-themed, and gender-neutral, often associated with tranquility and beauty.
Famous People
River Phoenix, River Song (fictional character from Doctor Who)
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Consistently Rising
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 5,421 peak births in 2022
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Alaska
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 2 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 7 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 7089th of 10718 | 26 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1429th of 16616 | 923 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 522nd of 24088 | 7,633 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 166th of 23106 | 27,916 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 8802nd of 27321 | 119 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1362nd of 35406 | 2,514 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 242nd of 30306 | 15,623 |