A fan favorite nature name that has some potential to become unisex, River’s calming imagery and many celebaby namesakes has pulled him to #168 in the US. He’s soothing, outdoorsy, and undeniably handsome, and even has snuck into some of my own combos despite being a stranger to my usually quirky vintage style. But will his mounting popularity not only for boys but also for girls destroy the majority of the appeal of this rugged word name? Or will River’s tranquil feel and handsome vibe push him even closer to the top 100? Today, I’m reviewing this reader requested name’s upsides and downfalls with a brief origin story, meaning, and some of my opinions scattered throughout. I hope you enjoy this article, and let’s begin!
Pros
I’d be completely lying if I didn’t admit that with the name River comes some particularly stunning imagery. Whether River looks more like a rushing rapid, fierce and strong, or a serene lake, the surface tranquil and undisturbed to you, River brings about images of qualities that are often pleasant. Particularly if your family has a certain fascination with the natural world, a word name that pertains to your growing family’s favorite activities and experiences is truly meaningful. Since the name River is literally just derived from the English word river, the connection to that imagery is particularly strong, and it’s very striking. Beyond the associations accompanying this boho beauty, there’s also the sound and nickname prospects. River is only two syllables long, meaning that there isn’t any pressing need for a nickname, and likely most people won’t attempt to shorten it like they may with a name like Alexander. However, if your family is big on nicknames or if you would just like a pet name for your son at home, Riv or Rio could suffice. Riv feels contemporary and sharp thanks to the ending V sound, and Rio fits in seamlessly with the modern day trend of boy names ending in -o like Hugo, Milo, and Otto with the international flair of also being a place name in Brazil.
On the topic of trending sounds and formulas for names, River fits many popular boy name molds while still carrying an exotic and novel vibe about him. For instance, as I mentioned above, River has the much desired middle V that contributes to his unique and distinct feel despite his many similarities with the names topping the charts. Not only does the middle V fit with modern day trends, so does his ending. The -er ending with occupational word names has grown increasingly popular with a new wave of word and surname names. These names have begun to fascinate families in search of the latest trends. Names such as Archer, Hunter, Taylor, Sawyer and Carter remain at the tops of the charts, and River has the same surname-like appeal, but with often more meaningful and beautiful imagery than the words sawyer or tailor may bring to mind. Because River has so many lovely elements that contribute to his appeal, it will be hard to find anything that outweighs his positives, right?
Cons
Well, not exactly. For one, River is a lot of Rs. He’s no Aurora, where the name is very difficult to say for some because of all of the repetition of Rs, but using the name can still be a big hindrance. A first and middle name combo like River Reid or River Robert is a lot of Rs for one name, and the same goes for surnames. Something like River Regan is quite the tongue twister, and even future sibling names may have to contain limited Rs as well to try and balance the amount of the R sound. So if the middle names, last name, or sibling names you’re considering are R heavy, River may not be the best choice, as it might eliminate your options in the future or with other aspects of your child’s name. Another big thing to keep in mind when considering this natural moniker is the immense popularity it’s surmassed over just a couple of years. When you take a look at the data, you quickly realize that River is pretty dang popular. At #168 in the US and #181 in England, River is gaining fast, and appears to be headed for the top 100, which doesn’t look good to many parents searching for names in that accessible but rare sweet spot. And even worse, the beautiful imagery will dissipate and be replaced by images of neighbor boys and girls. While those children may be lovely, the reason for River’s beauty is often in his connection to the natural world, and excessive use will take away from the word, and establish him more so as a name, like Victor or Taylor, which will also remove the name’s striking imagery.
And like it or not, this previously masculine moniker is starting to engage in a war between Team Pink and Team Blue. Although some would argue that it’s use for girls will in no way affect the handsome qualities of the name, the current unisex status appears to be shifting in favor of the girls, as so many masculine names have before. Avery, Mackenzie, Quinn, Evelyn, and Allison were all once quite popular as boy names before tilting in favor of unisex and then completely going to Team Pink. And unfortunately, the reason this so often happens is because conventionally girly qualities aren’t as strong or heroic as those of boys. Because of these stereotypes, it's trendy to give a girl a traditionally masculine name while a boy with a traditionally feminine name’s parents will face endless backlash from people insisting that he will be relentlessly tormented in school, but that’s a whole other article. So choosing River right now, when River for girls is at an all-time high of #214 and heating up fast is rather risky if you’re hoping that the majority of people your son will encounter with his name will be male. However, if you’re considering choosing this name for your little girl, the current unisex status of River shouldn’t be a huge issue if you don’t mind your daughter sharing her name with boys. Be forewarned, though, that I sadly doubt that River will remain an acceptable name for both genders for long.
Predictions For River:
Because River is currently straddling boy and girl territory, it’s going to be interesting to see what happens. However, based on past experiences with boy names gone girl, I think that the girls will continue to tighten their hold on River while it will lose its rugged appeal for Team Blue. I personally much prefer River on a boy, but I can see the name on either gender, and many personalities as well. I hope you enjoyed this overview of the name River, and I look forward to seeing you again!
Sincerely,
~Delphina Moon
What are your opinions on the name River? Any other article ideas that you would like me to cover? Make sure to comment below or submit my form!