Hayes vs River

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Hayes

Boy #160 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"hedge dweller, from the enclosure"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English Irish American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#160
Total SSA Count
2,249
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Hay, Haie, Haykins

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Hayes →

Popularity Comparison

Hayes Rank #160
River Rank #112

River is more popular, ranked #112 vs #160 for Hayes.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Hayes ___

  • Hayes Alexander
  • Hayes James
  • Hayes William
  • Hayes Michael
  • Hayes Oliver
  • Hayes Thomas

River ___

  • River James
  • River Blue
  • River Stone
  • River Lee
  • River Oak
  • River Reid

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Hayes

Parker Quinn Sawyer Reid Monroe

If you choose River

Sage Willow Ocean Phoenix Forest

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hayes or River more popular?

River is more popular, ranked #112 compared to Hayes at #160 in the United States.

What do Hayes and River mean?

Hayes means "hedge dweller, from the enclosure" (Old English origin). River means "flowing body of water, stream" (Old French origin).

Are Hayes and River boy or girl names?

Hayes is primarily a boy name. River is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

River vs Hayes Hayes vs Luca Hayes vs Kai Hayes vs Alejandro Hayes vs Bryan
← Full profile: Hayes ← Full profile: River Browse all baby names