Rio
Gender: Mostly Boy
Meaning: River — flowing freely, always moving forward
Origin: Spanish/Portuguese/Japanese
Popularity: Ranked #532 in 2025 with 563 babies born.
History: The Spanish and Portuguese word for river. Rio de Janeiro means river of January. In Japanese, it can mean cherry blossom or village. It has been used as a unisex name with a vibrant, international feel.
Name length: 3 letters
How common is Rio? About 1 in 4,983 babies born in 2025 were named Rio, or roughly 1.8 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Rio
What does the name Rio mean?
Rio means “River — flowing freely, always moving forward” from Spanish/Portuguese/Japanese roots.
What is the origin of the name Rio?
Rio has Spanish/Portuguese/Japanese origin. The traditional meaning is “River — flowing freely, always moving forward”.
How popular is Rio?
Rio ranked #532 in 2025 — given to 563 babies that year.
When was Rio most popular?
Rio peaked in 2024 with 591 babies registered that year.
Is Rio a boy or girl name?
Rio is used for both boys and girls. In the records, about 71% of Rios are boys and 29% are girls.
Is the name Rio rising or falling in popularity?
Rio has risen 1510 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #2042 in 2020 to #532 in 2025.
How long has Rio been recorded?
Rio appears in birth records across 64 years — from 1920 through 2025.