Find out how popular the first name Riven has been for the last 16 years (from 2008 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Riven by gender

Based on the last 16 years of data, Riven is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 58% of people named Riven being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 55 male babies and 20 female babies born with the name Riven.

The history of the first name Riven

The name Riven is a modern English name with no definitive origin or historical roots. It is likely a recently coined name, possibly derived from the English word "riven," which means "split apart" or "torn asunder." However, there are no clear historical references or ancient texts that this name can be traced back to.

While the name Riven itself does not have a long historical lineage, it may have been inspired by names from other cultures or languages. For example, in Sanskrit, the name "Rivan" means "one who sings or chants," which could be a potential source of inspiration. Additionally, in Old English, the word "riven" meant "to tear or split," which aligns with the modern English meaning of the word.

Despite its relatively recent origins, there are a few notable individuals who have borne the name Riven throughout history. One of the earliest recorded examples is Riven Taylor, an American architect born in 1884 who designed several notable buildings in the early 20th century.

Another notable individual with the name Riven is Riven Flanders, a Belgian painter and sculptor born in 1923. Flanders gained recognition for his abstract expressionist works and held numerous exhibitions throughout Europe during his lifetime.

In the literary world, Riven Locksley is a fictional character from the popular fantasy novel series "The Dragonriders of Pern" by Anne McCaffrey. Locksley was a skilled harper and dragonrider in the series, which was first published in the late 1960s.

Moving into more recent times, Riven Chidley is a British actress born in 1978 who has appeared in several television shows and films, including "The Crown" and "Downton Abbey."

Finally, Riven Marley is a contemporary American musician and songwriter born in 1986. Marley is known for her unique blend of folk and alternative rock styles and has released several critically acclaimed albums since the early 2010s.

While the name Riven may be relatively new and lack a deep historical lineage, it has been adopted by individuals across various professions and creative fields, potentially reflecting its modern and distinctive quality.

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

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

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