Origin of the Rivera Surname
The Rivera surname is of Spanish origin (Spanish). In the 2010 U.S. Census it ranked #46 with 391,114 Americans (132.59 per 100K people).
What the name meant to the first families who bore it — and how Rivera traveled across regions and centuries — is written out in the full Heritage Report.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Rivera |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Full etymology in the Heritage Report |
| Origin | Spanish |
| Language | Spanish |
| US Rank (2010) | #46 |
| US Count (2010) | 391,114 |
| Per 100K People | 132.59 |
| First Letter | R |
Ethnic Distribution of Rivera
Among 391,114 Americans named Rivera, the largest self-reported group is Hispanic (91.06%).
The full multi-group chart (every percentage, print-ready) is inside the Heritage Report — not repeated here.
Popularity of Rivera Over Time
Between the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census, the national rank of Rivera moved up. Exact counts for both years — print-ready — are in the Heritage Report.
Where did the Rivera family really come from?
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The Complete Story of the Rivera Family
What you’ve read above is just the overview. Your full Rivera Heritage Report goes far deeper — and it’s yours to keep, print & share with your family.
- ✓ The true origin & meaning of Rivera
- ✓ The Rivera coat of arms & heraldry
- ✓ Migration journey across the world
- ✓ Where Rivera families live today
- ✓ Notable Rivera bearers in history
- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
- ✓ A step-by-step guide to start tracing your own family tree
🎁 A heritage keepsake to pass down — perfect as a gift.
Get one Rivera fact most families never hear by email — a teaser, not the full etymology (that’s in the report).
Similar Surnames to Rivera
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Rivera.
Other Spanish Surnames
Explore more surnames with Spanish roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Spanish origin as Rivera.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rivera
Top Surnames Starting with R
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter R, ranked by population.
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