River — Girl name popularity
2025 rank #220 · peak #149 (2021) · 19,675 babies all-time
River is a girls' name that, in 2025, was ranked #220 (1,401 babies) in the United States, according to the Social Security Administration. Its all-time peak was #149 in 2021 (1,886 babies). Across the years tracked here it has been given to about 19,675 babies. River has come down from its peak but remains in use. The table below shows River's SSA rank and birth count year by year. (We report only counts SSA publishes; years where the name fell below SSA's 5-baby threshold show no count.)
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, Popular Baby Names. Data as of SSA national data through 2025, state data through 2025, retrieved June 2026.
River popularity over time
Rank and number of girls named River per year, from SSA national data. Recent years are shown individually; earlier history is shown at decade points back to 1990.
| Year | Rank (girls) | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #220 | 1,401 |
| 2024 | #215 | 1,442 |
| 2023 | #193 | 1,587 |
| 2022 | #150 | 1,930 |
| 2021 | #149 | 1,886 |
| 2020 | #184 | 1,562 |
| 2019 | #212 | 1,441 |
| 2018 | #244 | 1,333 |
| 2017 | #270 | 1,181 |
| 2016 | #285 | 1,132 |
| 2015 | #348 | 951 |
| 2014 | #453 | 708 |
| 2013 | #586 | 488 |
| 2012 | #683 | 412 |
| 2011 | #892 | 293 |
| 2010 | #975 | 262 |
| 2009 | #951 | 281 |
| 2008 | #1052 | 249 |
| 2007 | #1130 | 229 |
| 2006 | #1298 | 181 |
| 2005 | #2051 | 92 |
| 2004 | #1890 | 100 |
| 2003 | #2341 | 72 |
| 2002 | #2405 | 67 |
| 2001 | #2254 | 72 |
| 2000 | #2849 | 51 |
| 1999 | #2600 | 55 |
| 1998 | #2605 | 53 |
| 1997 | #2764 | 45 |
| 1996 | #3287 | 36 |
| 1990 | #8359 | 10 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, Popular Baby Names. Data as of SSA national data through 2025, state data through 2025, retrieved June 2026.
Key facts
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Sex | Girl |
| 2025 rank | #220 |
| 2025 babies | 1,401 |
| Peak rank | #149 (2021) |
| Peak-year babies | 1,886 |
| First tracked year | 1990 |
| All-time babies (tracked years) | 19,675 |
River as a boy name
River is also used for boys: in 2025 it ranked #111 with 3,139 babies. See the boys' River page.
Similar in popularity (2025)
| Girl name | 2025 rank | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Saylor | #217 | 1,415 |
| Elianna | #218 | 1,404 |
| Ada | #219 | 1,401 |
| Jane | #221 | 1,380 |
| Brianna | #222 | 1,372 |
| Elise | #223 | 1,367 |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name River for girls?
In 2025, River was the 220th most popular girls' name in the US, given to 1,401 babies, per the Social Security Administration. Its all-time peak was #149 in 2021 (1,886 babies).
When was River most popular?
For girls, River peaked at rank #149 in 2021 (1,886 babies). The first year it appears in SSA data (within our tracked years) is 1990. It has been given to about 19,675 babies in total across the years we track.
Is River a boy or girl name?
River is used for both. As a girls' name it was rank #220 in 2025; as a boys' name it was rank #111. The SSA counts the two separately.
Keep exploring
Source
U.S. Social Security Administration, Popular Baby Names, national data 1880–2025. SSA national data through 2025, state data through 2025, retrieved June 2026. Public domain (U.S. Government). SSA has no name meanings or origins; this page presents only popularity data. See our methodology.
Last updated: 2026-06-22