Data-driven popularity statistics, SSA rankings, and historical trends for the name River.
National Rank (2025)
#111
All-Time Peak Rank
#105 (2022)
Total U.S. Births
39,676
Unisex Distribution66.8% Boy / 33.2% GirlBalance: Leans Male
💡 The River Vibe: This choice is considered a Rising Star. A high-velocity modern choice demonstrating rapid, sustained growth in recent registries.
📖 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)
Watch how the absolute registration footprint of the name River scaled historically over the last century:
5-Year Trajectory Velocity
Rising
10-Year Decadal Shift Change
+107.1% Growth
18801920196020002025
📈 Popularity Milestones & Volatility
Busiest Year on Record3,504Births in 2021
Years in Top 100
0yrs
Registry Appearance Streak
40Years
Historical VolatilityHighly Volatile
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 SyllablesRi-ver
Letter Count5 Letters
Spelling ComplexityModerate
Linguistic Profile Narrative: Longer than 7.7% of SSA names. Starts with R, a letter used by only 4.7% of SSA names.
🛠️ Rhythm & Cadence Engine
Need a middle name or matching choice that pairs cleanly with River? Enter a surname or older sibling name below to test structural meter and syllable cohesion:
BabyNameAnalytics