Name
River
Meaning
River is a unisex name of English origin meaning “river”.
River is a direct English nature name, evoking moving water and the landscapes it shapes. Actor River Phoenix gave it a poignant early association, and in the 2010s and 2020s it became one of the most successful truly unisex names in the United States.
In the US top 200 for boys and top 200 for girls in the 2020s.
Popularity in the United States
Girls
Ranked #219 in 2025 · peak #149 in 2021
Boys
Ranked #111 in 2025 · peak #105 in 2022
Data: US Social Security Administration, top-1000 ranks.
At a glance
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Questions
River is a unisex name of English origin meaning “river”. River is a direct English nature name, evoking moving water and the landscapes it shapes.
River is a unisex name, used for both boys and girls. In the US top 200 for boys and top 200 for girls in the 2020s.
The name River comes from English. River is a direct English nature name, evoking moving water and the landscapes it shapes. Actor River Phoenix gave it a poignant early association, and in the 2010s and 2020s it became one of the most successful truly unisex names in the United States.
River is pronounced RIV-er.
More names that mean water
Names that share this meaning.