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Unisex name · Spanish

Rio

Rio is a unisex name of Spanish origin, meaning "River". It has a fresh, current feel next to more traditional names, and we file it here as a modern and an internationally-recognised name — useful shorthand if you're building a shortlist around a particular feel rather than starting from scratch.

At a glance

Meaning
River
Origin
Spanish
Gender
Unisex
Style
modern, international

Names similar to Rio

Sharing at least one style with Rio — a starting point if you like the feel but want more options.

Sibling name pairings

Names that share Rio's style, if you're planning ahead for a brother or sister.

Questions about the name Rio

What does the name Rio mean?

Rio is of Spanish origin and means "River".

Is Rio a popular baby name in the UK?

Naming trends shift every year, so rather than quote a number that goes stale, check the current official rankings on the Office for National Statistics' baby names release — search "Rio" at ons.gov.uk for the latest England & Wales data.

What names are similar to Rio?

Names with a similar style to Rio include Freya, Maya, Aria, Mia.

For current official UK popularity rankings, see the ONS baby names statistics for England and Wales — the only authoritative live source. Explore more names in our Baby Name Finder, or try our due date calculator if you're just getting started.

Reviewed August 2026.