Find out how popular the first name Riv has been for the last 1 years (from 2022 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Riv by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Riv is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Riv.

The history of the first name Riv

The name Riv originates from the Sanskrit language and can be traced back to ancient India, where it was used as early as the 5th century BCE. In Sanskrit, the word "riv" means "to flow" or "to move swiftly," suggesting a connection to rivers or streams. The name may have been given to children born near bodies of water or during rainy seasons.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Riv can be found in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, where it is mentioned as the name of a minor character. In the epic, Riv is described as a skilled archer and warrior who fought alongside the Pandavas in the great battle of Kurukshetra.

During the Gupta Empire, which ruled over much of northern India from the 4th to the 6th century CE, the name Riv gained popularity among the nobility and ruling classes. One notable figure from this period was Riv Gupta, a wealthy merchant and philanthropist who funded the construction of several temples and educational institutions in the city of Pataliputra (modern-day Patna).

In the 11th century, a famous Muslim scholar and poet named Riv al-Din Nishapuri was born in the city of Nishapur, in present-day Iran. His works, which included poetry and philosophical treatises, were widely influential throughout the Islamic world and helped to spread the name Riv beyond the Indian subcontinent.

Another prominent individual with the name Riv was Riv Singh, a Sikh warrior and military commander who lived in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Singh played a crucial role in the defense of the Sikh homeland against the Mughal Empire and is revered as a martyr in Sikh tradition.

In more recent history, Riv Shankar was an Indian musician and composer who helped to popularize classical Indian music worldwide. Born in 1920, Shankar collaborated with Western artists such as George Harrison and introduced the sitar to a global audience. He passed away in 2012 at the age of 92.

While the name Riv has ancient roots and historical significance, it remains a relatively uncommon name in modern times, especially outside of India and the Indian diaspora communities.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Riv was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Riv, please contact us.

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