Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Ria
GirlEnglish, Spanish· “short form of Maria or Victoria”
- Meaning
- short form of Maria or Victoria
- Origin
- English, Spanish
- Pronunciation
- REE-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,346
- US babies 2025
- 78
- Best rank
- #1,150 (2005)
- Peak year
- 2005
Meaning and origin of Ria
Ria is an English and Spanish name that is usually said to mean “short form of Maria or Victoria”.
Ria began as a short form of longer names, most often Maria or Victoria, and later came to be used on its own. Maria traces back to the Hebrew Miriam, while Victoria is Latin for victory, so the meaning depends on which name is in mind. In Spanish, ria is also a word for a coastal inlet formed by a drowned river valley, which gives the name a seaside echo. Short and bright, Ria fits easily across languages and has a crisp, contemporary style. It works well as a full name or as a friendly nickname within a longer given name.
Other spellings with the same sound: Rhea.
Popularity over time
Ria first appears in US Social Security records in 1934. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,150 in 2005, the same year it reached its highest count of 202 babies. In 2025, 78 babies were named Ria, and it ranked #2,346 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #4,240 in 1950, #2,982 in 1980, #1,964 in 2000, #1,842 in 2010, and #2,346 in 2025. Of the 4,115 US girls named Ria since records began, 36% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 1,024 babies. Since 2010, 1,503 more have been named Ria.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Cianna, Briseida, Makiya, Gizelle, and Melia.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ria ranked highest in Washington, New Jersey, and Illinois.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | #1210 | 5 |
| New Jersey | #1316 | 5 |
| Illinois | #1582 | 5 |
| California | #1724 | 13 |
| Texas | #2354 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Ria is usually pronounced REE-uh, with two syllables. It has three letters, starts with R and ends in “-ia”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Rhea.
Middle names for Ria
A few middle names that flow with Ria: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ria
Similar names
Tia Girl
TEE-uh
“short form of names like Letitia” · English
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KEHN-yuh
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DEE-uh
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Georgia Girl
JOR-juh
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Dalia Girl
DAHL-yuh
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Danna Girl
DAH-nuh
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Yesenia Girl
yeh-SEH-nee-uh
Spanish
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Tania Girl
TAHN-yuh
“short form of Tatiana” · Russian
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Leticia Girl
luh-TEE-shuh
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Zia Girl
ZEE-uh
“light, splendor” · Arabic
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Estefania Girl
es-teh-fah-NEE-uh
“crown (form of Stephanie)” · Spanish
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Lists that include Ria
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ria mean?
Ria is an English and Spanish name that is usually said to mean “short form of Maria or Victoria”.
What is the origin of the name Ria?
Ria has English and Spanish roots. Ria began as a short form of longer names, most often Maria or Victoria, and later came to be used on its own.
Is Ria a popular name?
Not especially. Ria ranked #2,346 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Ria a boy or girl name?
Ria is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Ria?
Ria is usually pronounced REE-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings