Celebrity baby names are always a topic of interest, and A$AP Rocky and Rihanna‘s youngest son is no exception. After about a month of speculation, the pop star has finally revealed her baby boy’s edgy name to the world. And it’s safe to say it’s a name that breaks the mold of traditional baby names. Her baby boy was born on August 1, and Riot Rose Mayers was stamped onto his birth certificate.
Riot joins older brother RZA Athelston Mayers, who was born on May 13, 2022. Riot is a rare name for baby boys today, but if the past is prologue, we expect Rihanna to be a trendsetter when it comes to names, as she already shapes the culture through her music and fashion. In this post, we will take a deeper look into the name Riot and suggest other baby names that are similar to it.
More About Riot
Riot Rose is the perfect combination: a bit salty and a bit sweet. Riot is on new parents’ radars, but the unsavory connotation the name carries keeps most away from it. Instead, parents have turned to an alternative spelling, Ryatt, to get the same sound without the baggage. After all, Riot does mean “violent civil disorder.”
More About Rose
Rose was an interesting pick for a baby boy. However, it is the most commonly chosen middle name for baby girls in the US and the UK today. Rose is a serene appellation, and nature names are all the rage today. Rihanna chose a popular name but flipped the script for something fresh and different. Long live this queen!
Other Riot-Inspired Baby Names That We Think Rihanna Would Approve
Rex
A name of Latin origin, Rex means “king.” Rex is a fairly popular given name for boys today, but it was a big success 70 years ago. The name is currently performing its best ever in England.
Ryker
Ryker has become a trendy name for boys recently, but it’s a gender-neutral option. The name is of German origin and means “wealthy.” The appellation is one of the trendiest names of German origin in the US today. Rihanna’s Riot and Ryker are not too far off.
Ravi
Ravi is a name belonging to a Hindi sun god and means “conferring.” This absolutely fabulous name for boys deserves more attention from parents in the US, as it is still rather rare here.
Raja
Raja is found in both Arabic and Sanskrit naming traditions as an appellation that means “hope” and “ruler.” Unfortunately, this appellation has been criminally overlooked in the US. It’s approachable, versatile, and sounds very fresh.
Epic
While Epic might not have much in common with Rihanna’s Riot, it sure does have an attitude like it. Epic comes from a Greek root that means “word” or “song.” Today, we relate it most closely to epic poetry. Unlike previous names on this list, Epic has never been in the top 1000 most popular baby names. It’s a grand, unisex option.
Legend
Legend is a unisex baby name that is extremely popular for boys today. If Epic wasn’t working for you, perhaps Legend will. This big and bold name holds the promise of adventure and courage.
Axel
Axel is a name of Scandinavian origin, a form of the Hebrew name Absalom, meaning “peaceful father.” The name gained traction in the 1990s and has been climbing ever since. New parents have increasingly favored names with the letter X in them. Traditionally, this name has been given to boys, but it works as a unisex option.
Cruz
A name of Spanish origin, Cruz is a glorious option that means “cross.” Cruz isn’t just a hit in the US; it’s currently having a moment across the UK. Cruz has the “it factor,” like Rihanna’s son’s name. Cruz is now the trendiest among baby boys, but there’s a history of the name being popular for girls as well that dates back to the early 1900s!
Dash
Dash can be a word name for a dashing little bundle of joy or a short form of the English word French name Dashiell. The appellation has an unclear meaning, but some baby name experts hypothesize that it could mean “from heaven.
Mars
In Roman mythology, Mars is the god of war, and many names contain it as a root. Mark, Marcel, and Marcus are just a few examples. The name is entirely unisex, and there’s a history of it used as a name for girls in France. However, this name is still prevalent in the US today. It’s a rare pick.
Maximo
Maximo is an Italian and Spanish form of Maximus, meaning “greatest.” Rihanna’s son’s name is a maximalist one, and Maximo is another big name for a little boy. The name has been a mildly popular choice in the US for the last few years and is more popular today than ever.
Pax
Pax is a unisex name of Latin origin that means “peace.” The name was given to the Roman goddess and personification of peace. Pax sounds effortlessly cool. If you like it but want something more substantial, go with Paxton. It’s a great vehicle to get you to the nickname Pax.
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Uzi
Uzi is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning “God is my strength.” Despite this name’s overwhelming popularity in Israel, it is decidedly rare in the US.
Draco
Not just a name for a Harry Potter baddy, Draco’s fortunes could very well change in the coming years. Draco is a name in Greek and Latin naming traditions and means “dragon.”
Jiraiya
Jiraiya is a name for boys of Japanese origin, meaning “young thunder.” The name landed in the US top 1000 most popular baby names for the first time in 2021. Pronounce this baby name with emphasis on the second syllable, like jih-RY-ah. We think Rihanna would like the meaning of this name.
Evander
Evander is a Scottish and Greek name meaning “bow warrior” or “strong man.” There’s nothing to complain about with either of those meanings. Evander reentered the top 1000 most popular names for boys in 2021 after not appearing on the list since 1895! We are so glad this strong contender is back!
Gunther
Gunther is a German name that has never been popular in the US. However, its Scandinavian counterpart, Gunnar, is a popular choice today. Both names are excellent options and mean “battle warrior.” We feel like this meaning is a spiritual cousin to RIhanna’s Riot.
Arrow
A name that’s straight and swift, Arrow holds so much potential. This appellation is of English origin, and we think it hits the bull’s eye.
Onyx
A pitch-black mineral name, Onyx, is on the rise for baby boys. The appellation entered the top 500 for the first time in 2021 and has only climbed since then.
Pharaoh
Pharaoh is a baby appellation on the cutting edge that new parents are just now beginning to turn to. You might expect that this name is Egyptian in origin, but the Romans actually coined it. The Latin root of the name means “king” and “ruler.” We could see celebrity parents like Rihanna and A$AP Rocky going for this winner.
Viggo
An extremely popular appellation in Sweden and Denmark today, Viggo is of Scandinavian origin and means “war.” This meaning is as close as they come to Rihanna’s Riot.
Casimir
Casimir is a boy’s name of Polish and Slavic origin, meaning “destroyer of peace” or “declarer of peace.” Casimir was last popular in the US before the 1940s. It could be time for a comeback.
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Wyatt
A name that rhymes with Riot and means “brave in war,” Wyatt is a perfect option. The appellation has enjoyed its most popular years ever over the last ten years. It’s not as unique as Riot but it comes close!
In the glitz and glamor of celebrity life, baby names often reflect the uniqueness and creativity of their famous parents. With her distinctive style and artistic flair, Rihanna has once again given us a name that stands out in the crowd. Whether you’re expecting your own little superstar or enjoy keeping up with celebrity baby news, we hope this exploration of Rihanna’s second son’s name and its contemporaries has been enlightening. Remember, a name is more than just a label – it’s the first gift you give your child, a symbol of their identity, and a reflection of their individuality.