Rio
Say it: REE-oh
BoyMeans usually taken as "river", from Spanish and Portuguese3 letters2 syllables
#244
in Ireland (2025)
#239 with spellings combined
19
babies in 2025
#239
best rank (2025)
186
babies since 2002
Up 222
10-year rank change
Rio through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 19 | #239 |
| 2024 | 10 | #360 |
| 2023 | 14 | #294 |
| 2022 | 15 | #285 |
| 2021 | 13 | #315 |
| 2020 | 19 | #245 |
| 2019 | 8 | #421 |
| 2018 | 7 | #446 |
| 2017 | 14 | #305 |
| 2016 | 5 | #541 |
| 2015 | 7 | #461 |
| 2014 | 4 | #609 |
| 2013 | 7 | #448 |
| 2012 | 4 | #616 |
| 2011 | 10 | #387 |
| 2010 | 7 | #448 |
| 2009 | 3 | #701 |
| 2007 | 4 | #527 |
| 2006 | 3 | #595 |
| 2005 | 5 | #403 |
| 2003 | 5 | #375 |
| 2002 | 3 | #451 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Rio mean?
Usually taken as "river", from Spanish and Portuguese
Usually taken from Spanish río and Portuguese rio (river); also a separate Japanese name.
Say it right
REEoh
The story of Rio
Rio is the Spanish and Portuguese word for river, and in English it also calls up Rio de Janeiro. As a first name it is used for both boys and girls, and there is no single origin story. In Japan, Rio is a separate name written with Japanese characters.
The best-known Rio in these islands is the English footballer Rio Ferdinand, and many other footballers carry the name.
In Ireland Rio first reached three babies a year in 2002, and it has been given mostly to boys. Its biggest year was 2020, with 19 boys, and it matched that in 2025, when it reached number 239, its best rank so far. It is more popular in Northern Ireland, where 18 boys were named Rio in 2025.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Rio (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Rio (given name)
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, First Forenames Given to Babies Registered in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Rio | 19 | 186 |
In Northern Ireland
#126 in 2025 with 18 babies. Best rank #121 (2023); 223 babies since 2003.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.
Rio is also given to girls: 4 since 2022.