Names That Mean River

Sabrina is the Latin name for the Severn, Britain's longest river. Drop the final syllable and you get a streamlined, French-esque name that's just as elegant, but without the Teenage Witch association. Sabrine has been used in the USA since 1970, but never for more than 18 girls a year — that makes it a rare gem.

The Kaveri is a prominent river in South India, where it flows through the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It is among the seven holy rivers of India, personified by the goddess Kaveriamma. The name was derived from kāvēri, the word for "river" in the Sankethi language. Sankethi, related to Tamil, is spoken in regions around the Kaveri. Cauvery is the Anglicized spelling.

Tiberinus was the god of the Tiber in Roman mythology and appears as a character in Virgil's Aeneid. It's related to the name Tiberius, that of an Ancient Roman emperor. Tiberius may be the better choice between the two, if only because it's more familiar.

A geographical name of Celtic origin, which is borne by two British rivers: the Afon Wyre in Wales and the Wyre in Lancashire.

This is an unusual surname and geographical name of medieval Scottish origin that might serve as a possible alternative to the aging Keith, though it's a bit tough on the tongue. More popularly spelt Laith in Scotland itself, which happens to correspond to an Arabic name meaning 'lion'.

Duna refers the Hungarian word for the Danube River or to the Icelandic term for the down of a duck. Duna also bears a resemblance to both Dune and Djuna. In this era of word names and invented names, Duna may have a bright future.

Zaire, the former name of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is an ultra-hot baby name for boys. It's inspired a number of variations, including Zyair, Zyaire, and now, Ziaire.

Truly a cross-cultural name, with usage in Germany, Scandinavia, India, France, and Iceland.

The river Ganges in India is also called Jahnavi (literally "daughter of Jahnu") due to a legend involving the sage Jahnu. The Ganges river destroyed his fields, so Jahnu drank up all of the river's water to punish her. The Gods prayed to the sage to release the Ganges, and Jahnu relented and released the Ganges from his ear.

Turkish cognate of the name River among English-speakers. However, unlike River, Nehir is an exclusively feminine name in Turkey.

Refers to one of the seven sacred rivers of India.

Brings to mind the romantic and elegant eighteenth century portraits of George Romney.

An English place name and surname derived from the name of the River Exe, which runs mainly in Devon and Somerset in the southwest of England. The river's name simply means "water" from Brythonic uisk.

The Turkish name for the Danube River. Tuna is technically a unisex name in Turkey, yet it is more common among boys.

Two names meaning "river" make the Turkish Top 100 for girls — Nehir and Irmak. Irmak is the less popular of the two.

The Turkish name for the Danube River.

As a given name, Wheelock has been passed down to generations of the Whitney family — descendants of Eli Whitney, creator of the cotton gin. The first Wheelock Whitney — known as Wheels — was named after his mother, Alice Wheelock. His son, Wheelock Whitney Jr. went by Whee, and Wheelock Whitney III is called Lock.

We'll have our sherry in the parlor, please, Bainbridge.

Leotis effortlessly blends vintage and contemporary style, offering old-fashioned charm and not one, but two old-school cool nicknames: Leo and Otis.

A rarer spin on River or Everly, using one of the most popular name endings of the moment.