Find out how popular the first name Riva has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Riva by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Riva is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 57 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Riva.

The history of the first name Riva

The given name Riva originates from the Italian and Sanskrit languages. In Italian, it is derived from the word "riva," meaning "riverbank" or "shore." This connection to bodies of water suggests a natural and calming association with the name. In Sanskrit, the name Riva is related to the word "riv," which means "to flow" or "to move." This linguistic root links the name to concepts of movement, progress, and fluidity.

Historically, the name Riva has been recorded in various ancient texts and documents. One of the earliest known references can be found in the writings of the Roman poet Ovid, who lived from 43 BC to 17 AD. Ovid mentioned the name Riva in his famous work "Metamorphoses," where it was associated with a nymph or river goddess.

During the Middle Ages, the name Riva was occasionally used in various regions of Italy and the Mediterranean. Historical records from this period include a few notable individuals bearing this name. One such figure was Riva da Montefalco, an Italian noble and landowner who lived in the 13th century.

In the Renaissance period, the name gained popularity among certain artistic and literary circles. Riva Agostini, an Italian painter born in 1555, was renowned for her portraiture and religious works. Another notable figure was Riva Leuzzi, an Italian poet and writer who lived from 1625 to 1692, known for her contributions to the Baroque literary movement.

The name Riva also appeared in various cultural and religious contexts throughout history. In Hindu mythology, Riva was the name of a minor goddess associated with rivers and water bodies. Additionally, there are references to individuals named Riva in ancient Buddhist texts and scriptures from Southeast Asia.

Among the more contemporary historical figures bearing the name Riva was Riva Levertov, an American poet and writer of Russian-Jewish descent, who lived from 1923 to 1997. Her works explored themes of nature, spirituality, and social justice, and she received numerous literary awards and honors.

Another notable individual was Riva Yaron, an Israeli athlete born in 1946, who competed in swimming events at the 1964 and 1968 Olympic Games. She won a bronze medal in the 400-meter individual medley at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo.

Riva Robertson, an American actress born in 1929, had a successful career on stage, television, and in films throughout the mid-20th century. She was particularly known for her roles in Broadway productions and received a Tony Award nomination in 1964.

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 Riva was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!