Raya vs River

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Raya

Girl #363 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"friend, companion"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Hebrew Arabic Slavic English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#363
Total SSA Count
859
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Ray

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Raya →

River

Boy #112 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"flowing body of water, stream"

Origin: Old French

Cultural Roots

English American Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#112
Total SSA Count
3,138
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Riv

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for River →

Popularity Comparison

Raya Rank #363
River Rank #112

River is more popular, ranked #112 vs #363 for Raya.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Raya ___

  • Raya Luna
  • Raya Marie
  • Raya Grace
  • Raya Jade
  • Raya Skye
  • Raya Belle

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 Raya

Zara Kai Mila Leo Aria

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 Raya or River more popular?

River is more popular, ranked #112 compared to Raya at #363 in the United States.

What do Raya and River mean?

Raya means "friend, companion" (Hebrew origin). River means "flowing body of water, stream" (Old French origin).

Are Raya and River boy or girl names?

Raya is primarily a girl name. River is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Raya ← Full profile: River Browse all baby names