Reva is a feminine name of Sanskrit origin, meaning "one that moves" or "mover." In Hindu tradition, Reva is an epithet and synonym for the goddess Rati, the wife of Kama, the god of love. The name reflects Rati's dynamic and driving role in fostering desire and pleasure.
Etymology
The root of the name is the Sanskrit verb ru ("to move"), and Reva is a feminine derivative emphasizing motion or flow. It shares this root with the Narmada River, also called Reva, reflecting the movement of water. In a religious context, the name connects to the idea of desire as a force that propels beings toward union and creation.
Cultural and Religious Significance
In Hinduism, Reva serves as a name for Rati, the goddess of love and pleasure. Rati herself means "rest" or "pleasure," and together with Kama she embodies the cycle of attraction and fulfillment. Naming a girl Reva invokes the goddess's ceaseless creative energy. Though less common than other Devi names, Reva is used among Hindi-speaking and Hindu communities across India.
Related Names and Forms
The name is part of an onomastic chain: from Kama (god of desire), to his consort Rati, to Reva as a descriptor. No direct diminutives exist in English, but the river Narmada shares the epithet.
Key Facts
- Meaning: "One that moves" — a flowing, dynamic force
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Type: Given name used almost exclusively for females
- Usage Regions: India (especially Hindi- and Sanskrit-influenced states)