Names That Mean River
- Innes
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"from the river island"Description:
Innis is the name of an island (and Gaelic word for island) which became a Scottish surname and clan name before being used as a first. It hasn't been heard much in the U.S., but could attract more attention with the growing popularity of Latin s-ending boys' names such as Atticus.
- Ria
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"small river"Description:
Short and feminine, Ria has a rhythmic flow.
- Eyre
Origin:
Literary name and Old NorseMeaning:
"gravel bank river"Description:
This lovely name -- Eyre sounds just like air -- is best-known as the surname of eponymous Bronte heroine Jane, and would make an appealing and distinctive middle name for the child of fans of that book. While the surname Eyre is found mainly in England, its origins are Norse and it's thought to derive from Norse settlers. Still, the status of the classic books means Eyre deserves to stand proudly among English baby names.
- Anahita
Origin:
PersianMeaning:
"immaculate"Description:
Anahita is the name of the water goddess who rules, among other things, fertility and wisdom. Associated with Venue, Anahita is a stylish Iranian name for girls.
- Avonlea
Origin:
Place nameMeaning:
"river by a field"Description:
As all good Anne of Green Gables buffs would know, Avonlea is the fictional Canadian town created by L. M. Montgomery that Anne Shirley considers home. The literary creation inspired a real Canadian town to adopt the name. Avonlea would make a lovely literary choice for any baby, and would fit in with the Ava and "-lee" naming trends right now.
- Adair
Origin:
English and ScottishMeaning:
"shallow place in a river near oaks"Description:
This undiscovered unisex name has lots of flair. It was first noticed as a girl's name, starting in the 1980's, on the long-running daytime drama Search for Tomorrow, with the character Adair McCleary, who had ahead-of-their-time brothers named brothers Hogan, Cagney and Quinn. But since Adair has yet to find many takers, it would make a fresh and appealing choice.
- Naim
Origin:
Scottish; ArabicMeaning:
"river with alder trees; happy"Description:
Naim, also sometimes spelled Naime, is a pleasant choice that may have some confusing pronunciation issues in English-speaking countries (where may will say this name as "name"). But don't let that deter you if you're in love with this moniker.
- Po
Origin:
Italian river nameDescription:
A river (in Italy), a writer (Bronson), a Teletubby: the Bo of the new millennium.
- Narelle
Origin:
Australian AboriginalMeaning:
"little river"Description:
The Narellan is the name of a river in New South Wales. From this name comes this quasi-French girls' name, which is quite common in Australia.
- Acheron
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"river name"Description:
A real Greek river, believe in ancient times to lead to the Underworld. It has been in (rare) use as a boy name from 2010 onwards, coinciding with the rising interest in mythological names.
- Zyair
Origin:
Variation of Zaire, KongoMeaning:
"the river that swallows all rivers"Description:
One of the many new spellings of Zaire that has been climbing the charts lately.
- Munro
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"mouth of the river Ro"Description:
Takes Monroe out of the Dead Presidents category and gives it new life.
- Wade
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"at the river crossing"Description:
An established male name that might cross over to the girls' side -- though if it's a water name you're after, there are so many prettier choices.
- Bradford
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"wide river crossing"Description:
Brad in a Brooks Brothers suit.
- Reva
Origin:
Hindi river name; HebrewMeaning:
"rain"Description:
Refers to one of the seven sacred rivers of India.
- Holmes
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"from the island in the river"Description:
Possible middle name for devotees of detective Sherlock.
- Huon
Origin:
Tasmanian tree nameMeaning:
"huon river pine"Description:
A name gaining recognition in Australia, based on the huon pine tree which grows in Tasmania. Boatbuilders especially love this rare wood, which floats well, is resistant to rot, and has a strong pine-y scent.
- Guadalupe
Origin:
Spanish from ArabicMeaning:
"hidden river, valley of the wolves"Description:
Popular Spanish name that relates to the patron saint of Mexico. It could conceivably, like Soledad and Consuelo, cross the border into multicultural territory, but the name's decline since the nineties would seem to make that less likely.
- Nairn
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"river with alder trees"Description:
Scottish nature name that could prove a tongue- twister for the younger set.
- Orwell
Origin:
English surnameMeaning:
"the branch of the river"Description:
Most closely associated with famed English novelist George Orwell (whose real name was Eric Arthur Blair), this English surname is now occasionally sported as a literary first name. Given its meaning, Orwell could also be used by those looking for a more subtle alternative to River.