Rio vs Sullivan

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Rio

Boy #517 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"river"

Origin: Spanish/Portuguese

Cultural Roots

Spanish Portuguese Brazilian American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#517
Total SSA Count
591
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Rio →

Popularity Comparison

Rio Rank #517
Sullivan Rank #340

Sullivan is more popular, ranked #340 vs #517 for Rio.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Rio ___

  • Rio James
  • Rio Alexander
  • Rio Sebastian
  • Rio Marcus
  • Rio Cruz
  • Rio Blue

Sullivan ___

  • Sullivan James
  • Sullivan Patrick
  • Sullivan Thomas
  • Sullivan Reid
  • Sullivan Finn
  • Sullivan Grant

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Rio

Finn Kai Luna Isla Milo

If you choose Sullivan

Finnegan Declan Bridget Nora Callum

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 Rio or Sullivan more popular?

Sullivan is more popular, ranked #340 compared to Rio at #517 in the United States.

What do Rio and Sullivan mean?

Rio means "river" (Spanish/Portuguese origin). Sullivan means "descendant of the dark one" (Irish Gaelic origin).

Are Rio and Sullivan boy or girl names?

Rio is primarily a boy name. Sullivan is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

Sullivan vs Rio Rio vs Benson Rio vs Preston Rio vs Edwin Rio vs Zain
← Full profile: Rio ← Full profile: Sullivan Browse all baby names