Rising since 2000, #3,645 for girls today.
Popularity of Riva since 1910
Babies named Riva per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 31 |
| 1920s | 52 |
| 1930s | 29 |
| 1940s | 47 |
| 1950s | 157 |
| 1960s | 124 |
| 1970s | 115 |
| 1980s | 220 |
| 1990s | 176 |
| 2000s | 151 |
| 2010s | 273 |
| 2020s | 244 |
Meaning & origin
Riva is a short, melodic name with diverse possible origins. In the United States, it first appeared on record in 1910 and has been gradually rising in popularity since 2000, reaching its peak year in 2023. As of 2025, Riva ranked 3,645th, with approximately 1 in 39,202 female newborns receiving the name. The name has been most common in New York and Texas. Though its etymology is debated, likely stemming from Italian or Hebrew roots, Riva maintains a modern, elegant appeal that fits well with contemporary naming trends favoring concise, vowel-ending names.
Riva may derive from the Italian word for "shore" or "riverbank," making it a topographical surname turned given name. Alternatively, it could be a feminine form of the Hebrew name Ravi, meaning "sun" or "ray of light." The name has seen modest use in the United States since the early 20th century.
Where Riva is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Riva
Names that share Riva's style, for a brother or sister.
