Find out how popular the first name Rivera has been for the last 2 years (from 2022 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Rivera by gender

Based on the last 2 years of data, Rivera is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Rivera.

The history of the first name Rivera

The given name Rivera is derived from the Spanish word "ribera," meaning "riverbank" or "shoreline." Its origins can be traced back to the Latin word "ripa," which also means "riverbank" or "shore." The name likely emerged during the medieval period in Spain, where it was initially used as a surname for people who lived near a river or coastal area.

Rivera is a relatively common name in Spain and Spanish-speaking countries, as well as among Hispanic communities worldwide. It is believed to have been used as a given name since the 16th or 17th century, although records of its earliest usage as a first name are scarce.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rivera appears in the Spanish epic poem "El Cantar de Mio Cid," which dates back to the 12th century. In this work, a character named Ruy (or Rodrigo) Díaz de Vivar is referred to as "El Cid Campeador," and his surname is sometimes written as "Rivera."

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Rivera as their given name. For example, Rivera Quileute was a prominent leader of the Quileute Native American tribe in the late 19th century, born around 1850 in what is now Washington state.

Another notable figure was Rivera Hernández, a Puerto Rican poet and journalist who lived from 1892 to 1977. He was known for his contributions to the literary movement known as the "Danza Puertorriqueña."

In the realm of art, Rivera Muñoz was a Spanish painter active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, born in 1856 and known for his landscape and genre paintings.

Rivera Meza was a Chilean politician and lawyer who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1932 to 1938, born in 1884.

Finally, Rivera García was a Mexican revolutionary and military leader who participated in the Mexican Revolution of the early 20th century, born in 1879 and known for his role in the Battle of Celaya in 1915.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the given name Rivera, reflecting its Spanish and Latin American origins and its association with geographic features like rivers and coastlines.

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

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

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