Spanish · Portuguese · Japanese

Rio

Pronounced REE-ohShare

Meaning: River in Spanish and Portuguese; Japanese readings depend on kanji

  • Gender-neutral
  • Familiar
  • 2 syllables
  • Bridge name

The story

Rio has separate language histories. Spanish and Portuguese give it a river meaning; Japanese Rio can use several character combinations, so its meaning depends on the chosen written form.

Also means

What Rio means in its other languages.

  • JapaneseKanji-dependent; 莉央 combines jasmine and center, while other spellings differ

Popularity

Familiar

In the US top 1,000 — familiar, not everywhere.

Similar position in the latest US rankings

Style

  • Modern
  • Nature
  • Short
  • Works everywhere

Origins

Rio comes from Spanish, Portuguese, and Japanese. It’s a bridge name, with roots in more than one culture.

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Sora

Sky in one Japanese spelling

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