Skip Ancestry navigation Skip to Footer Ancestry Home
  • Home
  • Trees
  • Search
  • Memories
  • DNA
  • Subscribe
  • Cart
  • Sign In
Home
Loading

Trees you own

    Shared with you

      Tree tools

      • My Trees
      • First Name Meanings
      • Last Name Meanings
      • Individual Records Search
      • Family Trees Support
      • Start a New Tree
      • Upload a GEDCOM
      Loading
      • Search All Records
      • Census & Electoral Rolls
      • Birth, Marriage & Death, including Parish
      • Military
      • Wills & Probate
      • Immigration & Travel
      • Schools, Directories & Church Histories
      • Public Member Trees
      • Card Catalogue
      • Member Search
      Memories
      Loading
      • Register a kit
      • AncestryDNA® Learning Hub
      • Traits Learning Hub
      • AncestryDNA®
      • AncestryDNA® Support
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Discover More Family Names with an Ancestry 14-day Free Trial* 
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Blog
      • About Us
      • Site Map
      • Gift Memberships
      • Careers
        • Ancestry Corporate
        • Fold3.com
        • ForcesWarRecords.com
        • Geneanet.org
        • Newspapers.com
        • ProGenealogists.com
        • RootsWeb.com
      • © 2002-2026 Ancestry
      • Privacy
      • Cookies
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company
      Group of people

      Meaning of the first name Rivera

      Origin

      Spanish

      Meaning

      Lives Near the River

      Variations

      River, Driver, Olivera
      The name Rivera has its origins in the Spanish language and is derived from the word ro, meaning river in English. As a toponymic name, it indicates that the individual or their ancestors lived near a river. Spanish names often evolved from descriptive or geographical origins, providing insights into the lives and surroundings of those who bore them.

      The name Rivera has a prominent place in both history and modern-day usage. In historical contexts, individuals with the name Rivera can be found in various regions of Spain, where rivers were and continue to be vital to human settlement and economic activities. Over time, families with the name Rivera migrated to other parts of the world, particularly during periods of Spanish exploration and colonization. Consequently, the name can also be found in countries and regions influenced by Spanish culture and heritage, such as Latin America, the United States, and the Philippines.

      In contemporary society, the name Rivera holds considerable significance due to various notable figures who bear this name. It is not uncommon to come across individuals with the name Rivera excelling in diverse fields, including but not limited to politics, sports, arts, and entertainment. Their achievements and contributions serve as a testament to the enduring relevance and widespread usage of the name Rivera across different generations and cultures.

      Based on our records...

      Rivera

      Rivera

      This is the most common surname associated with Rivera.
      Juan

      Juan

      This is the most common name of those married to a Rivera.
      Maria

      Maria

      This is the most common name for a child of a Rivera.
      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. - © Mapbox - © OpenStreetMap - Improve this map

      What are you curious about?

      Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
      Start a free trial
      Order AncestryDNA
      calendar.webp
      Based on our records...

      Did you know?

      1845 is when there were the most people born with the first name Rivera.

      Explore the origins of another name.