Meaning: River in Spanish and Portuguese; Japanese readings depend on kanji
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
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.
More like Rio
More Spanish namesRui
Auspicious with Chinese 瑞; other origins differ
Gael
Probably referring to a Gaelic speaker
Kai
Sea in Hawaiian; East Asian meanings depend on spelling
Pedro
Spanish and Portuguese form of Peter: stone
Paula
Small; humble, through Paul
Sora
Sky in one Japanese spelling
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