"rain, divine blessing"
Reva
Pronunciation: [ r-AYV-uh ]
A rain-blessed name spanning Hebrew and Sanskrit traditions
Meaning & Origin
"sacred river"
The Story of Reva
Reva has dual roots that cross continents. In Hebrew it means rain — a symbol of divine blessing in the arid ancient Near East. In Sanskrit, Reva refers to the sacred Reva River (now called the Narmada), one of India's seven holy rivers. The name also exists in Jewish tradition as an affectionate form of Riva (Rebecca), carrying the matriarchal weight of the biblical name.
Reva was popular in Ashkenazi Jewish communities through much of the 20th century, then faded, but has recently found new life as parents seek short, melodic vintage names with global resonance.
In India, Reva is inseparable from the sacred Narmada River, central to Hindu pilgrimage traditions. In Jewish culture it evokes the matriarch Rebecca, and rain — a blessing in dry climates — underscores the name's spiritual resonance.
Fun Facts
- The Narmada River (Reva) is one of only three rivers mentioned in the ancient Rigveda
- Reva was a common name in early 20th-century Jewish immigrant communities in America
Reva in Other Languages
Famous People Named Reva
Reva Siegel
Other
Distinguished American legal scholar and Yale Law professor, known for constitutional law scholarship
Reva Shayne Fictional
Other
Beloved character from the long-running US soap opera Guiding Light, played by Kim Zimmer
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,717
- Total SSA Count
- 63
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish Indian American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Reva is also used as a boy name, ranked #32517.
View Reva as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Reva
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About the Name Reva
Reva is a girl name with Jewish, Indian, and American origins . The name means "rain, divine blessing" in Hebrew .
Is Reva a boy or girl name? Reva is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,717 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #32,517. Reva is more commonly used as a girl name.
Reva is currently ranked #2,717 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Reva has 2 syllables and is pronounced r-AYV-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Reva include Rev. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Reva include Reverie . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.