250+ Names That Mean River - Boys, Girls, and Gender-Neutral Options

Rivers symbolize life, flow, and constant movement.

Throughout history, rivers have played a vital role in human civilization, inspiring countless names across cultures.

This comprehensive guide explores beautiful names connected to rivers, their meanings, and cultural significance.

Boy Names That Mean River

Adrian – Latin origin, meaning “water” or “river dweller”
Brooks – English origin, meaning “of the stream”
Douglas – Scottish origin, meaning “dark river”
Ford – English origin, meaning “river crossing”
Hudson – English origin, meaning “son of Hugh” but associated with the Hudson River
Jordan – Hebrew origin, meaning “flowing down”
Krishna – Sanskrit origin, meaning “dark one,” also a sacred river
Murray – Scottish origin, meaning “settlement by the sea”
Nile – Egyptian origin, named after the great river
Rhine – German origin, from the famous European river
Rio – Spanish origin, directly meaning “river”
River – English origin, nature name
Thames – English origin, from London’s famous river
Trent – English origin, meaning “rushing waters”
Wade – English origin, meaning “to go through water”

Looking for names with deeper meanings? Check out these names that mean mysterious.

Girl Names That Mean River

Arno – Italian origin, from the Arno River
Cascade – English origin, meaning “waterfall”
Darya – Persian origin, meaning “sea” or “river”
Delta – Greek origin, meaning “river mouth”
Geneva – Latin origin, meaning “juniper tree,” associated with Lake Geneva
Indus – Sanskrit origin, from the great Asian river
Loire – French origin, from the Loire River
Maya – Sanskrit origin, meaning “water”
Nilah – Sanskrit/Arabic origin, meaning “riverbank”
Rhine – German origin, meaning “flowing water”
Sabrina – Celtic origin, meaning “from the River Severn”
Seine – French origin, from the Seine River
Shannon – Irish origin, from Ireland’s longest river
Talullah – Native American origin, meaning “leaping waters”
Yamuna – Sanskrit origin, named after the sacred river

Find more meaningful names in our collection of names that mean destiny.

Gender-Neutral Names That Mean River

Afon – Welsh origin, directly meaning “river”
Avon – Celtic origin, meaning “river” or “water”
Bay – English origin, referring to a body of water
Blair – Scottish origin, meaning “dweller by the water”
Cam – English origin, from the River Cam
Devon – English origin, meaning “deep valley stream”
Flow – English origin, nature-inspired name
Lynn – Welsh origin, meaning “lake” or “waterfall”
Morgan – Welsh origin, meaning “sea-born”
Neri – Greek origin, meaning “water sprite”
Ren – Japanese origin, meaning “water lily”
Storm – English origin, related to water and weather
Talia – Hebrew origin, meaning “dew from heaven”
Tarn – English origin, meaning “mountain lake”
Vale – Latin origin, meaning “valley” often with a river

Explore more meaningful names in our collection of names that mean transformation.

Popular Names That Mean River

Aaren – Hebrew origin, meaning “mountain of strength,” associated with flowing water
Beckham – English origin, meaning “homestead by the stream”
Cole – English origin, meaning “from the coal river”
Dylan – Welsh origin, meaning “son of the sea”
Eden – Hebrew origin, referring to the garden with four rivers
Fisher – English origin, connected to river life
Kai – Hawaiian origin, meaning “sea”
Marina – Latin origin, meaning “from the sea”
Marlowe – English origin, meaning “driftwood”
Monroe – Scottish origin, meaning “mouth of the river”
Morgan – Welsh origin, meaning “sea-circle”
Murray – Scottish origin, meaning “settlement by the sea”
Neptune – Roman origin, god of waters
River – English origin, modern nature name
Wade – English origin, meaning “to cross a river”

Discover more meaningful names in our collection of names that mean balance.

Vibrant Names That Mean River

Aqua – Latin origin, meaning “water”
Azure – Persian origin, color of clear waters
Cerulean – Latin origin, meaning “sky blue” like clear rivers
Coral – Greek origin, referring to sea life
Crystal – Greek origin, meaning “clear as water”
Emerald – Persian origin, like the green waters
Iris – Greek origin, goddess of rainbows over water
Jade – Spanish origin, like the color of deep rivers
Lake – English origin, body of water
Marin – Latin origin, meaning “of the sea”
Misty – English origin, like river fog
Pearl – Latin origin, found in waters
Reed – English origin, water plant
Sapphire – Greek origin, like deep blue waters
Wave – English origin, water movement

Find more nature-inspired names in our collection of names that mean forest.

Unique Names That Mean River

Adalwen – Welsh origin, meaning “white river”
Beryx – Greek origin, meaning “deep waters”
Cordelia – Celtic origin, meaning “daughter of the sea”
Destan – Persian origin, meaning “river story”
Elowen – Cornish origin, meaning “elm near the river”
Fluvius – Latin origin, directly meaning “river”
Grayan – Scottish origin, meaning “from the rocky river”
Hali – Greek origin, meaning “sea dweller”
Kelvin – Scottish origin, from the River Kelvin
Lachlan – Scottish origin, meaning “land of lakes”
Morven – Scottish origin, meaning “maiden of the sea”
Nerida – Greek origin, meaning “water nymph”
Oshun – Yoruba origin, river goddess name
Rashem – Hebrew origin, meaning “rain shower”
Zale – Greek origin, meaning “sea strength”

Discover more distinctive names in our collection of names that mean silent.

Beautiful Names That Mean River

Alva – Scandinavian origin, meaning “river elf”
Calypso – Greek origin, meaning “she who conceals the waters”
Doris – Greek origin, meaning “gift of the ocean”
Eldrid – Norse origin, meaning “river valley spirit”
Isolde – Celtic origin, meaning “fair water ruler”
Kendra – English origin, meaning “clear water”
Lalita – Sanskrit origin, meaning “flowing like water”
Maren – Latin origin, meaning “of the sea”
Niara – African origin, meaning “one with high purpose” like a river
Ondine – Latin origin, meaning “little wave”
Ravine – French origin, meaning “narrow valley with stream”
Sidra – Arabic origin, meaning “like stars on water”
Thalassa – Greek origin, meaning “the sea”
Umiko – Japanese origin, meaning “child of the sea”
Zarya – Russian origin, meaning “river princess”

Find more beautiful options in our collection of names that mean pearl.

Top Names That Mean River

Arnav – Sanskrit origin, meaning “ocean”
Brook – English origin, meaning “small stream”
Cordell – Latin origin, meaning “from the heart of the water”
Daria – Persian origin, meaning “sea protector”
Ebb – English origin, meaning “outgoing tide”
Fluid – Latin origin, meaning “flowing”
Galene – Greek origin, meaning “calm sea”
Haven – English origin, meaning “safe harbor”
Icarus – Greek origin, “fell into the sea”
Kai – Multiple origins, connected to water
Lakshmi – Sanskrit origin, born from the ocean
Mira – Sanskrit origin, meaning “ocean”
Nanami – Japanese origin, meaning “seven seas”
Ocean – Greek origin, nature name
Pelagius – Greek origin, meaning “of the sea”

Explore more popular choices in our collection of names that mean change.

Traditional Names That Mean River

Abhilasha – Sanskrit origin, meaning “flowing desires like a river”
Beatrix – Latin origin, meaning “voyager through water”
Calder – Scottish origin, meaning “rocky water”
Delphin – Greek origin, meaning “dolphin of the rivers”
Eldra – Celtic origin, meaning “water ruler”
Feronia – Roman origin, goddess of waters
Giordano – Italian form of Jordan, meaning “flowing down”
Havelock – English origin, meaning “sea warrior”
Irving – Scottish origin, meaning “green river”
Jennifer – Celtic origin, meaning “white wave”
Kendall – English origin, meaning “valley of the river Kent”
Lir – Irish origin, god of the sea
Mortimer – French origin, meaning “dead sea”
Nerina – Greek origin, meaning “sea nymph”
Yara – Brazilian origin, meaning “water lady”

Discover more traditional options in our collection of names that mean family.

Mythological Names That Mean River

Achelous – Greek origin, river god name
Aegir – Norse origin, god of the ocean
Alpheus – Greek origin, river god name
Amphitrite – Greek origin, sea goddess
Ceto – Greek origin, sea goddess
Dagon – Mesopotamian origin, water deity
Enki – Sumerian origin, god of waters
Fontus – Roman origin, god of wells and springs
Ganga – Hindu origin, goddess of the holy river
Hydra – Greek origin, water serpent
Llyr – Celtic origin, god of the sea
Mami Wata – African origin, water spirit
Poseidon – Greek origin, god of seas
Tethys – Greek origin, titan of fresh water
Varuna – Hindu origin, god of waters

Find more mythological names in our collection of names that mean fate.

Literature-Inspired Names That Mean River

Ariel – Shakespeare’s water spirit
Beowulf – Old English hero associated with water
Circe – Greek literature, sea witch
Davy Jones – Nautical literature figure
Elaine – Arthurian lady of the lake
Fitzroy – Character from sea tales
Gilgamesh – Epic hero who crossed waters
Horatio – Naval literature character
Ishmael – From Moby Dick
Jason – Leader of the Argonauts
Lorelei – German literature river maiden
Miranda – Shakespeare’s island dweller
Nerissa – Merchant of Venice sea nymph
Odysseus – Greek hero who sailed seas
Pericles – Shakespeare’s sea prince

Explore more literary names in our collection of names that mean dream.

Adorable Names That Mean River

Amaya – Japanese origin, meaning “night rain”
Bayou – French origin, meaning “small river”
Coral – Greek origin, meaning “sea maiden”
Dewey – English origin, meaning “beloved little water”
Eira – Welsh origin, meaning “snow water”
Fisher – English origin, connected to river life
Ginny – English origin, meaning “spring water”
Harbor – English origin, peaceful water shelter
Isla – Spanish origin, meaning “island”
Kappa – Japanese origin, water sprite
Minnow – English origin, small river fish
Nixie – German origin, meaning “water sprite”
Puddle – English origin, playful water name
Rain – English origin, water from sky
Splash – English origin, playful water movement

Find more cute options in our collection of names that mean sunflower.

Japanese Names That Mean River

Asuka (明日香) – “tomorrow’s fragrance,” associated with the Asuka River
Fumiko (富美子) – “child of abundant beauty,” like flowing water
Kaida (海田) – “little dragon of the sea”
Kaiko (海子) – “child of the ocean”
Kawako (川子) – “river child”
Mizuki (水木) – “water tree”
Naoki (直樹) – “straight tree,” often associated with river banks
Natsumi (夏美) – “summer beauty,” like summer waters
Rikyu (利久) – “flowing profit”
Sachiko (幸子) – “child of bliss,” like peaceful waters
Sumiko (澄子) – “clear as water”
Takashi (隆) – “noble,” associated with waterfalls
Umiko (海子) – “child of the sea”
Yasuko (康子) – “peaceful child,” like calm waters
Yoshi (善) – “good fortune,” associated with river luck

Discover more Japanese names in our collection of names that mean memory.

Names That Mean River in Different Languages

African Languages

Abayomi (Yoruba) – “brings joy like a river”
Delu (Zulu) – “river born”
Kanti (Xhosa) – “flowing water”

Celtic Languages

Afon (Welsh) – “river”
Avon (Celtic) – “river”
Caerfyrddin (Welsh) – “fort by the river”

Germanic Languages

Bach (German) – “stream”
Fluss (German) – “river”
Strom (German) – “stream”

Romance Languages

Fluvia (Latin) – “of the river”
Rio (Spanish/Portuguese) – “river”
Rivière (French) – “river”

Slavic Languages

Reka (Russian) – “river”
Voda (Czech) – “water”
Potok (Polish) – “stream”

Explore more multilingual names in our collection of names that mean knowledge.

Names That Mean River – Special Categories

Sacred River Names

Aaradhya – Sanskrit origin, named after sacred rivers
Ganga – Hindu origin, the holy Ganges
Jordan – Biblical river name
Krishna – Sacred Indian river
Narmada – Ancient Indian river deity
Nile – Ancient Egyptian sacred river
Sarasvati – Mythological Indian river
Tigris – Mesopotamian sacred river
Yamuna – Holy Indian river
Zaire – African river name

Mountain River Names

Alpine – Mountain stream inspired
Cascade – Mountain waterfall
Glenn – Valley stream
Highland – Mountain water source
Ravine – Mountain water path
Ridge – Mountain water way
Sierra – Mountain range waters
Tarn – Mountain lake
Vale – Valley stream
Whitney – White water rapids

Ancient River Names

Euphrates – Mesopotamian river
Indus – Ancient civilization river
Meander – Ancient Greek river
Nile – Egyptian lifeline
Rhine – Historic European river
Rubicon – Famous Roman river
Seine – Ancient Gallic river
Thames – Historic British river
Tiber – Roman river
Volga – Ancient Russian river

Forest River Names

Brook – Woodland stream
Creek – Forest waterway
Dell – Wooded valley stream
Fern – Riverside plant
Glen – Valley water
Grove – Woodland water
Reed – River plant
Stream – Forest water
Vale – Wooded valley
Willow – River tree

Ocean-Connected River Names

Bay – Where river meets sea
Delta – River mouth
Estuary – River-sea meeting
Harbor – River haven
Haven – Safe water
Marina – Sea entrance
Mere – Lake or sea
Port – River entrance
Sound – Ocean inlet
Tide – Ocean flow

Magical River Names

Avalon – Mystical water isle
Fae – Water fairy
Lorelei – River siren
Merlin – Magical waters
Morgana – Sea witch
Naiad – Water nymph
Nereid – Sea sprite
Nixie – Water spirit
Ondine – Water elemental
Selkie – Sea creature

Explore more magical names in our collection of names that mean illusion.

Final Thoughts

River names carry deep significance across cultures and time periods. They represent life, movement, and eternal flow. Whether you’re drawn to traditional names like Jordan and Thames or prefer unique options like Ondine and Nereid, there’s a river name that can perfectly capture your vision for your child.

These names connect us to nature’s power and beauty, reminding us of the essential role water plays in our lives. They can inspire strength, grace, and adaptability – qualities as timeless as rivers themselves.

Remember that many of these names carry rich historical and cultural significance. When choosing a river name, consider both its sound and its deeper meaning. The perfect name might be found in ancient mythology, literature, or simply in nature itself.

Looking for more inspiration? Explore our collection of names that mean new beginning for fresh perspectives.