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Riva

Girl name · 9 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Riva: 9 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 5 births in 2020.

A modern nature name with multiple roots, Riva can be a short form of River or a direct borrowing from the Italian word for “shore” or “bank,” evoking watery landscapes. It also shares origins with the Sanskrit Reva, meaning “one who moves swiftly” or “river.” Though uncommon in Scotland, the name has a lyrical, international feel. Notable bearers include Danish singer Riva, known for her hit “String Theory,” and American actress Riva Marker. The Italian town Riva del Garda on Lake Garda shares the same root, while the surname Riva has Scottish and Italian links. As a variant, Riva is sometimes spelled Reeva, and its gentle sound fits the Scottish trend for short, vowel-rich names inspired by nature.

Girl 2 of 52 years

Peak year
20205 babies
Latest (2020)
#5445 babies
Total births
9since 2019
5-year trend
≈ stablevs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2020 · 5
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).