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Rio
WDYTO Rio?
It entered the US top 1000 in 2020 and has been rising.
Interesting imo that it has been used very quietly for much longer, as well.
https://www.behindthename.com/top/beyond?name=rio&gender=&type=percentwhat gender would you prefer for it?
Do you perceive, or prefer, an English usage of Rio to be based on the Japanese name, or from the Spanish word for river?
https://www.behindthename.com/name/rio-2
https://www.behindthename.com/name/rio-1
Do you associate the pop song by Duran Duran strongly with a person named Rio?
Have you ever met a person named Rio?- mirfak

Replies

I seriously can’t picture Rio on a girl. It’s okay for a boy but I wouldn’t use it. I think of the Spanish word for River first and foremost. I do know the song, but it’s not what immediately pops into my mind. I think of the city in Brazil or the animated movie about parrots. I don’t know anybody with the name.
In my experience, it’s a late-stage hipster name: The two young Rios I know of are the children (one male, one female) of hip parents who have ties to the Spanish-speaking world.I dislike it.
It seems most like a nickname to me (Mario "Rio", Dario "Rio" - comparable to Ria or Lio, so I guess that'd make it German/Dutch...maybe also Swiss, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, English)...I can see why it'd be popular considering it sounds like a lot of popular names (as well as potentially being unisex and multicultural with a nature meaning). In the context of it as a word name, (not being a native Spanish speaker) it strikes me more as a place name than as a naturey concept/image like River would. Since I primarily associate Mario plus Spanish "rio" and potentially R****o names like Rinaldo or Ricardo, my immediate impression is masculine, but I'm familiar with Mio, so it doesn't seem that weird as feminine/unisex (that's just not what I expect).I don't know the Duran Duran song off the top of my head. I don't remember meeting anyone named it. I don't have much of a personal opinion on it. I wouldn't be comfortable using it as a Spanish word name (given I associate roadsigns/cities first when I hear it as a word in English, which I feel would not be the intention), but it's whatever for other people. I think the Japanese meaning is nice but feel disconnected from that. I perceive it as sort of insubstantial/generic/amorphous as a NN-as-FN, but it's pleasant enough. I like Theo and Rhys, and it's not far from those.

This message was edited 2/11/2024, 11:22 AM

This is my favorite guilty pleasure name. I would love to name a little girl this. I prefer the Japanese romanization spelling of Riyo, but for the longest time I wanted to name my child this. My husband has shut it down, as we speak Spanish and may move back to Spain someday, and it’s assumed to be masculine somewhat.
It’s sounds instantly male, to me. I have a lot of Hispanic family and friends, so I automatically associate the o ending with male. Tio, amigo, etc.I suppose i would automatically assume the English usage or Rio to be from the Spanish/mexican influence.And I honestly do not think I’ve ever met anyone named Rio. It’s not hideous or anything at all, I just don’t think I’ve met anyone with the name.
As a kid, we went to a Mexican restaurant called pio-pio’s, and it was said just like Rio….i think the owner was called Pio…. Very old memory so I could be getting some details wrong

This message was edited 2/10/2024, 9:53 PM

A friend of mine's younger sister had a friend who was named Rio (female), and her (my friend's) mom thought it was just the most ridiculous name ever, she was always shaking her head over it. Possibly it felt more preposterous because the Rio in question was apparently a bit of a rich spoiled brat type. I always thought the name was kinda cool, very hip and exotic. I do think of the song, and also that movie about the parrots. It's firmly Spanish for me. I think it could work for any gender, but on a boy it feels a bit more silly, like an adult film star type of name. It seems more cartoony on a boy, like calling a kid Olé or Toro or something.
WDYT: It's a nice name. Short, soft, simple & uncommon without being too unusual) Gender preference: Boy! Usage preference: Both, I guess. Song association: No, never heard of the song, so can't say that I do. Personal association: Yes. I had a classmate named Rio, so I immediately think back to him. Nice kid, so nice association.

This message was edited 2/10/2024, 8:22 PM

I feel like I remember a classmate of mine using it for her little boy about ten years back, but I may be wrong.
I do know I met a dog named Rio just the other day. A little beagle mix puppy, cute as he can be.I don't really dislike the name, and I don't care which origin a given person uses, though I have no interest in the whole Japanese anime/manga/j-pop stuff and I guess I'd assume a non-Japanese person using the Japanese name Rio was one of those fangirls or fanboys.
I also do associate it with the girl in the Duran Duran song. So I slightly think of it as more feminine than masculine.
I just think of the city and the Disney movie. I think it's fine if it's on a Hispanic/Latino person.

This message was edited 2/10/2024, 8:13 PM