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Riven

Boy name · 3 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Riven: 3 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 3 births in 2023.

Riven has Old English and Norse roots, stemming from the word *reofan*, meaning "to tear" or "split," though its modern resonance owes more to the verb "to rive"—to rend or cleave—giving the name a sense of dramatic force. In popular culture, it is vividly associated with Riven, the agile, dual-blade-wielding champion in the video game *League of Legends*, and with the mysterious Riven from the classic graphic adventure *Myst*. No major places bear the name, but its sound echoes the River Rye or the Scottish word "riven" describing rugged, storm-split landscapes. A rare but evocative choice, Riven shares a lyrical kinship with names like Rowan or Raven, and has occasionally appeared in modern Scottish registries as an unconventional—and memorable—option for parents drawn to names with edge and nature-worn texture.