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Is Reeva ok to use?

114 replies

fairyteepee · 12/09/2014 10:53

Me and my husband love this name if we are having a girl BUT im worried everyone will immediately think of Reeva Steenkamp? I know she seemed like a lovely person and theres nothing negative surrounding her as a person. But the circumstances surrounding the name are very sad.
Would you still use it?

OP posts:
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Hakluyt · 12/09/2014 10:56

No of course you can"t use it! What are you thinking? If you're pregnant now it will still be in the news when the baby's born.

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MajesticWhine · 12/09/2014 10:57

I wouldn't. Although, by the time your little one is at school, I guess everyone will have forgotten about RS. But I still wouldn't.

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ItsNotEasyBeingGreen · 12/09/2014 10:59

I think it's fine to use. If you like the name. When is your DD due? It's very sad to say but her name won't be so recognisable when your DD is older. But if she googles Reeva then I expect her death will be the majority of the hits.

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Hakluyt · 12/09/2014 11:01

Imagine having a new baby, and every single time you tell people her name the first image that leaps into their minds is this awful case. Why would you want that!

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Bowlersarm · 12/09/2014 11:03

I think it's fine.

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whatsagoodusername · 12/09/2014 11:03

It took me a minute or two to figure out who she is and why you shouldn't.

Sad as the situation is, people will forget once the trial is finished. So I probably would use it if I really loved it.

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VivaLeBeaver · 12/09/2014 11:03

I think its fine to use. People won't remember (sadly) the name of the girlfriend in a few years. Can you remember OJ Simpsons wife's name without googling? I can't. It'll be Pistorius who's name is remembered.

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Nusalembongan · 12/09/2014 11:03

Could it be her middle name? It is just too prominent at the moment and for many years the associates will be there. I wouldn't it just isn't fair.

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LEMmingaround · 12/09/2014 11:03

I wouldn't for two reasons. Firstly it sounds like one of those non names that are quite popular these days. But more importantly i don't know anyone else with that name. Sothe association would be there. I am not keen on "individual" names. Id rather my child stand out for who she is

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MrsBungle · 12/09/2014 11:04

I think it's fine too.

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Chachah · 12/09/2014 11:06

I'd think it was in poor taste tbh, anyone who googles her name will not only come across RS, but also see that your baby was given her name right at the exact time of the whole media circus.

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TrixieLunamoon · 12/09/2014 11:06

If you really love it I would use it. People still name their children Madeleine, Holly and Jessica.

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whatsagoodusername · 12/09/2014 11:07

How about Resa?

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isitsnowingyet · 12/09/2014 11:07

No - it is in poor taste.

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PandaWatch · 12/09/2014 11:09

It's absolutely fine to use. Ridiculous to suggest otherwise. Agree with Viva that people forget very quickly.

I know that OJ's wife was called Nicole but it never crosses my mind when I meet/hear of a Nicole.

Good luck with your pregnancy!

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NormHonal · 12/09/2014 11:10

I've used the name of a high-profile murder victim for one of my DCs and don't have a problem with that per se.

I think the issue with Reeva is that it's quite an unusual name/spelling. Why not amend it to "Riva" and start cultivating references to lovely Italian towns when people ask you why you chose it?

I wouldn't go with the Reeva spelling.

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furcoatbigknickers · 12/09/2014 11:11

For the live of cheese. Of course you can use it.

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furcoatbigknickers · 12/09/2014 11:11

Nice name op

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Wonc · 12/09/2014 11:12

No I wouldn't. It's too soon and too morbid.

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Hakluyt · 12/09/2014 11:12

So you really, really wouldn't mind introducing your baby to people, and everyone immediately getting an involuntary image of Oscar Pistorious braking down on the witness stand, and that poor woman being shot in her own bathroom....

And yes, in 6 months it might be all forgotten- but that's what 's going to happen when this baby is tiny.......

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fromparistoberlin73 · 12/09/2014 11:14

its unfortunately a bit too raw, I also think when she eventually googles her name she will see a girl with the same name was murdered at the same time. A bit weird?

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curiousgeorgie · 12/09/2014 11:14

I think it would be fine to use in a few months, but it's so newsworthy right now that everyone would think that's where you got it from.

When are you due?

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financialwizard · 12/09/2014 11:17

Of course you can use it. It is a lovely name. Just because one person has been killed with that name doesn't mean you shouldn't. Lots of boys called James after Jamie Bulger was killed ffs. Doesn't make me think of him when I hear the name.

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BigfootFiles · 12/09/2014 11:18

When the baby is tiny she won't care or remember what's going through people's heads. My first association is it sounds very like the Arriva bus company. It's also a homophone for reaver - which is basically someone who violently plunders, viking or pirate stylee.

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Hakluyt · 12/09/2014 11:18

There are lots of James or Jamies.

How may other Reevas do you know?

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