Baby Name Popularity Profile

River

Data-driven SSA statistics, rankings, and historical trends for River.

✦ A large natural stream of water 🌍 English nature
National Rank (2025) #111
All-Time Peak Rank #105 Achieved 2022
Total U.S. Births 39,676 since 1880
Unisex Distribution 65.3% Boy / 34.7% Girl Leans Male
First Recorded 1971 Last seen: 2025
Peak Decade 2020s 3,504 births in 2021
💡 The River Vibe: Considered a Rising Star. A high-velocity modern choice demonstrating rapid, sustained growth in recent registries.

🌍 Meaning & Etymology

Primary Meaning A large natural stream of water
Language Origin English
Origin Type single
Derived directly from the English word 'river', referring to a natural flowing watercourse.
Pronunciation: RIH-ver
Themes & Categories
nature
Etymology confidence: High

📖 The Story Behind River

According to SSA data, River achieved its highest historical rank of #105 in 2022. Its highest annual registration volume occurred in 2021 with 3,504 babies. Between 2015 and 2025, modern registrations have increased by 107.1%. Overall, the name has maintained a ranked presence for 40 consecutive years.

📊 Factual Timeline & Current Trajectory (1880 – 2025)

Registration footprint of River across 145 years of SSA data.

5-Year Trajectory Rising
10-Year Shift +107.1% Growth
18801920196020002025

📈 Popularity Milestones & Volatility

Busiest Year on Record 3,504 births in 2021
Years in Top 100 0 yrs
Years in Top 500 19 yrs
Registry Streak 40 yrs
Historical Volatility Highly Volatile
Largest 1-Year Jump N/A
Decade-by-Decade Registration Volumes
1880s: 0
1890s: 0
1900s: 0
1910s: 0
1920s: 0
1930s: 0
1940s: 0
1950s: 0
1960s: 0
1970s: 26
1980s: 82
1990s: 2,023
2000s: 4,449
2010s: 13,860
2020s: 19,236

📐 Sound & Spelling Structure

Phonetic Syllables Ri-ver
Letter Count 5 letters
Spelling Complexity Moderate
Length Percentile Longer than 7.7% of names
Linguistic Profile: Longer than 7.7% of SSA names. Starts with R, a letter used by only 4.7% of SSA names.

🛠️ Sibling & Surname Cadence Tool

Enter a surname or sibling name to test how it pairs with River.

📍 Authentic State & Regional Rankings

Highest Ranking State Alaska
Top States Alaska, Utah, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada
States with Data 51
State 2025 Rank Total Births Peak Year 5-Yr Velocity
Alaska #190 147 2020 Insufficient historical volume
Utah #79 806 2024 +33.3% Growth
Oregon #76 837 2021 +26.3% Growth
Idaho #69 344 2022 Insufficient historical volume
Nevada #127 281 2022 Insufficient historical volume
Arkansas #42 869 2021 +7.5% Growth
Tennessee #57 1,511 2021 +19.1% Growth
Washington #96 1,139 2021 +6.7% Growth
Colorado #127 830 2021 +14.3% Growth
Oklahoma #63 936 2022 +3.3% Growth
Montana #61 201 2021 Insufficient historical volume
Arizona #109 781 2022 +120.0% Growth
North Carolina #89 1,627 2023 +39.6% Growth
Florida #125 1,895 2025 +33.8% Growth
Georgia #75 1,529 2025 +30.6% Growth
Alabama #65 984 2020 15.5% Decline
South Carolina #77 705 2022 +6.5% Growth
Kentucky #79 819 2022 18.2% Decline
Missouri #67 1,025 2022 +13.9% Growth
Texas #152 3,507 2022 12.6% Decline
Virginia #111 992 2024 3.8% Decline
Indiana #99 1,019 2022 8.2% Decline
Hawaii #60 131 2018 Insufficient historical volume
Louisiana #91 750 2023 12.9% Decline
West Virginia #45 383 2024 5.9% Decline
California #139 3,937 2021 +10.5% Growth
Mississippi #91 464 2022 8.8% Decline
Kansas #79 385 2022 +44.8% Growth
North Dakota #169 123 2021 Insufficient historical volume
South Dakota #114 121 2022 Insufficient historical volume
Nebraska #134 262 2018 Insufficient historical volume
Maine #88 154 2021 Insufficient historical volume
New Hampshire #93 108 2021 Insufficient historical volume
Iowa #68 446 2025 +9.3% Growth
Wisconsin #175 637 2021 2.7% Decline
Minnesota #130 571 2024 +25.0% Growth
Delaware #99 63 2022 Insufficient historical volume
New Mexico #112 164 2025 Insufficient historical volume
Ohio #110 1,390 2021 13.5% Decline
Michigan #103 1,090 2022 +16.7% Growth
Wyoming Unranked 37 2023 Insufficient historical volume
Maryland #156 401 2022 +31.0% Growth
Illinois #149 1,007 2022 +3.9% Growth
Vermont #78 35 2020 Insufficient historical volume
Pennsylvania #129 1,042 2021 +10.0% Growth
New York #165 1,127 2025 +67.1% Growth
New Jersey #270 392 2022 8.1% Decline
Massachusetts #182 346 2023 Insufficient historical volume
Connecticut #275 133 2021 Insufficient historical volume
Rhode Island Unranked 22 2022 Insufficient historical volume
District of Columbia Unranked 8 2023 Insufficient historical volume

👨‍👩‍👧 Sibling Name Suggestions

👦 Brother Suggestions
Asher Silas Atlas Micah Felix Judah Tatum Levi Luca Hudson
👧 Sister Suggestions
Ellie Daisy Maeve Josie Lucia Ember Gemma Freya Lilah Tatum

🔗 Names You Might Also Like

Based on statistical similarity and shared characteristics with River:

Demographic & Volume Peers
Ryder Ryker Ramir Ryver Roper Roman Rowan Ranger Rahmir Ragnar
More nature Names
Browse all nature names → Browse English names →

🗂️ Browse More Baby Names

Explore our name indexes and data tracks:

👦 Top Boy Names → 2-Syllable Names → 5-Letter Names → More Rising Star Names → English Origin Names → nature Names → Names Peaking in 2021 → 🗺️ Regional State Data →