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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Baby names

River

41 replies

brookeberry · 02/02/2016 15:39

Hi all, I've asked about this before but it really is decision time for us very soon!

We are having a little boy and just can't settle on a name, but we both like River. We're not huge hippies (can you still say that word?), but we're not completely traditional either - artistic and nature-loving I suppose, with a toe in the business world.

But of course, it's about him - I think it sounds gentle but strong. What do you think?

OP posts:

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MNemonica · 02/02/2016 16:19

Depends on your surname. If your name is Dee / Trent / Aire or suchlike, avoid!

To answer your question, I think it sounds gentle but strong

brookeberry · 02/02/2016 16:57

Haha, good point mnemonica ! Don't worry, we're safe

OP posts:

Sophronia · 02/02/2016 17:02

It's not my usual style, but I actually like it a lot. :)

RiverTam · 02/02/2016 17:04

Lovely! We had in on both our boy and girl lists.

Buttercup27 · 02/02/2016 17:06

I think it's a very feminine name and a assumed you were having good a girl when reading the thread title.
I have known 1 river , who was a girl. Her sister was summer .

BikeRunSki · 02/02/2016 17:07

I actually really like it, but I'd try and find a specific river to name after. Dd was very nearly Isis - another name for the Thames in Oxford - which I though my would have been excellent, as DH comes from Gloucestershire and I come from London. DH is more politically aware than me and refused. She's named after a valley where we used to live instead.

ChessieFL · 02/02/2016 17:08

Just makes me think of Phoenix. People may think you've got the name from there.

AuntieStella · 02/02/2016 17:15

My strongest association by far is a River Song in Doctor Who.

And as there are an awful lot of Whovians, I think that's going to be a pretty widespread and durable association.

So are you OK with a unisex name?

EmpressOfTheVulvaCupcakes · 02/02/2016 17:18

My first thought was River Song too.

PuppyMonkey · 02/02/2016 17:18

I think it's a bit.... naff. Sorry, it's the Doctor Who thing...

Actually the name Phoenix is ace.

Millipedewithherfeetup · 02/02/2016 17:55

First thought was also river song from dr who, but i do like it, and also think its a name that works for little ones as well as teens and adults, can see a sporty teen boy called river, he's cool and clever too !

Fizrim · 02/02/2016 17:58

I think of the actor as the first River I knew was a boy, now I know a girl and strongly suspect a Whovian choice.

EmpressOfTheVulvaCupcakes · 02/02/2016 18:11

Mmm, River Song... I so would.

brookeberry · 02/02/2016 18:28

Thanks for all the feedback

Yes I first heard it with River Phoenix (sigh). I know it's in Doctor Who (I stopped watching when David Tenant left!) but when I heard the name River Song (I love that actress) I thought it was even more beautiful. And I do like a unisex name.

puppy we were considering Phoenix as well! But decided that it was maybe too 'out there'.

bikeski funnily enough, there is a small connection to an actual river (a small one). We'd been ttc for a few years with many ups and downs and eventually got to the stage of giving up. We moved not too long ago to a house with an actual river at the bottom of the garden ( a wide stream, but like a river when it's been raining) and conceived within weeks of being here. Sorry if that sounds a bit naff!

OP posts:

Sofiria · 02/02/2016 19:53

My first association was River Tam, but then I'm a geek.

GloriaHotcakes · 02/02/2016 19:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

brookeberry · 02/02/2016 20:00

sofiria I had to google - the only River Tam I know is on this thread! She looks very fabulous!

OP posts:

LaceyLee · 02/02/2016 20:01

An actual, established name would be better. River would be a nice middle name though....

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 02/02/2016 20:04

I like it.

Borninthe60s · 02/02/2016 20:32

Don't like it and think its gender less.

AlmaMartyr · 02/02/2016 20:33

I thought River Tam too! I think it's a great name though and would be fine for boy or girl.

VoldysGoneMouldy · 02/02/2016 20:36

Think it's pretty awful tbh.

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mrsschu · 02/02/2016 20:38

I don't like it, it sounds very soft and yes, hippy-ish IMO. I might be ok for a baby/small child but I'm sceptical that it will suit a teenager or man. I would always think of River Phoenix as a first association.

ThursdayLastWeek · 02/02/2016 20:42

I dont like it at all.

3luckystars · 03/02/2016 01:49

Funny, I think River is waaaasay more "out there" than Phoenix! I love Phoenix. River is nice too and it has a lot of meaning to you obviously, so that's great.
Congratulations on your pregnancy x

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