How to say it
RI · o
ˈriː.oʊ
Masculine
Rio
River
What it means
Spanish and Portuguese for 'river,' also tied to Rio de Janeiro.
Rio means 'river' in Spanish and Portuguese, from the Latin rivus. It evokes Rio de Janeiro, named for a river in January, and carries a sunny, free-flowing energy. Short and global, it works for boys and girls alike. Said REE-oh.
How to spell Rio
The standard spelling is Rio. Common variants include Río, Reo, Rion, but Rio is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #517 in 2024, currently #532 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
Spanish for 'river'; also nods to Rio de Janeiro.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Rio Ferdinand English former footballer who played as a defender for Manchester United and England
Spelling variants
- Río
- Reo
- Rion
Names with the same feeling
See Rio from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Rio mean?
- Spanish and Portuguese for 'river,' also tied to Rio de Janeiro.
- What does Rio mean in Spanish?
- In Spanish, Rio means "River." Rio means 'river' in Spanish and Portuguese, from the Latin rivus. It evokes Rio de Janeiro, named for a river in January, and carries a sunny, free-flowing energy. Short and global, it works for boys and girls alike. Said REE-oh.
- How do you pronounce Rio?
- Rio is pronounced ˈriː.oʊ. Say it as RI-o, with the stress on the "ri" syllable.
- How do you spell Rio?
- The standard spelling is Rio. Common spelling variants include Río, Reo, Rion.
- Is Rio a boy or girl name?
- Rio is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Rio?
- Rio ranked #532 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.