A Spanish and French surname, Rivas comes from the Latin term ‘riba’ which means riverbank. The spelling variations for Rivas include Rivale, Rivell, Rhivalle, Rhivals, Rivals, Rivales and Rivals de. The Rivas family name is common in Spain, especially close to the French border. Many from the nation resettled in the Western Hemisphere in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Columbia and Peru. In England the family name of Rivas is mostly found in the city of London. There are some in the county of Somerset. Within the United States the Rivas name is very popular in Texas, California, Florida, New York, New Mexico, Nevada and Arizona. Famous: Willy Rivas (footballer from Peru, Joaquin Mendez Rivas (poet from Mexico), Betsi (weightlifter from Venezuela), Pscar Rivas (boxer from Columbia), Ramon Rivas (basketball player from Puerto Rico), Daniel Louis Rivas (actor) and Patricio Rivas (President of Nicaragua).