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Baby names

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Original poster

Riley? Really?

87 replies

MexicanHat · 13/08/2013 17:29

I am very surprised to see the name Riley at no. 8 in the Top Ten Boys names. I don't know of anyone who has used this name. I've never come across the name at all. It's above William and James and I know lots of babies/children/men with these names. Obviously the list is correct - anyone know lots of Rileys?

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Rooners · 14/08/2013 09:00

There are quite a lot here. I don't like it, because it sounds like a surname and because it has 'rile' in it which rhymes with vile and isn't a nice word in itself.

Sorry, I am very odd about names...if they look the wrong colour I don't like them, either. You know. Riley is very much a black and white name.

Blush

Bailey is kind of yellow. Toby is solid white, but with pink or brownish overtones. Ellen is red.

usualsuspect · 14/08/2013 08:45

I know a few,boys and girls.

Sorry to disappoint, but their parents all work.

cece · 14/08/2013 08:44

I know one but she is a girl.

AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom · 14/08/2013 08:38

Stella McCartney has a daughter called Reiley. Her names are a bit 'themed' for my taste (she also has a Miller, Beckett and a Bailey) but I doubt Reiley will be complaining that the name holds her back!

Greythorne · 14/08/2013 08:31

First thing that springs to mind is 'leading the life of Riley'.

Fairylea · 14/08/2013 08:20

Well Toby you're wrong.

I'll say it.

I have a Riley. And both me and my dh are university educated, I turned down a place at oxford to care for my grandma when she was terminally ill with cancer and returned to study when I was older.

Both dh and I have (had in my case as I am now sahm) senior level positions.

We just liked the name. It really IS that simple.

We also have a dd who has an extremely unusual name, a "posh" name if you like. We just liked that name too.

I think we are all beyond the age of being able to detect income or class from a name or even considering that class or background matters. Surely EVERY child deserves their own chance in life and not to be judged according to their name or their parents?

How ridiculously snobby some people are.

ClartyCarol · 14/08/2013 07:57

I know of a Ryly. Really.

MikeLitoris · 14/08/2013 07:53

Wow. Got to love a bot of name snobbery in the morning.

I'd rather name all my dc Riley than William or James .

What a loud mouthed, jobless harpie I must be.

Hmm
TobyLerone · 14/08/2013 07:43

The only people I have met with children called Riley are not particularly well-educated, nor have they had "very good" jobs, if they had jobs at all.

Just my observation, though.

Fairylea · 14/08/2013 06:30

I know several, all well educated parents in very good jobs. In our area (south Norfolk) it is becoming quite a classic name.

sleepywombat · 14/08/2013 06:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mathanxiety · 14/08/2013 04:48

While not screechy in a loud way, the parents of the Riley with the sister Lacey are inclined to belong to the 'children should be seen but not heard' school of parenting and treat the girls as just about tolerable nuisances whose care is mostly farmed out to others. They are not screechy only because they are not around the girls much, but if they were then I think there would be a fair amount of screeching. As it is, there is never-ending correction of them at weekends and holidays (Riley, look where you're going/ look what you've done with your drink Riley/ Riley stop that NOW). It's painful to sit out and hear all that whiny complaining at the children from the other side of the fence.

mathanxiety · 14/08/2013 04:43

The only Rileys I know are girls. And also one yellow lab. One of the girls has a sister named Lacey and the family has a dog named Lexus. They chose the girls' names because they are nicknamey and modern, and vaguely 'country' even though they live in a city -- they identify with 'country' / red state values.

The other Riley was adopted from China and the name resembles her Chinese name.

It's 'Riley' because this is how the surname Reilly is spelled in America, where it was first used as a first name.

libertine73 · 14/08/2013 04:35

beaten to the Katie Hopkins is alive and well comment! Grin

AberdeenAngusina · 14/08/2013 03:31

I know two, both aged about 2. Neither have "screechy" parents.

hootiemcboob · 14/08/2013 03:06

I have a Reilly. LOL at "pet name " though!

JazzAnnNonMouse · 14/08/2013 03:04

I don't know any and haven't ever met any either.
I'm surprised its above those other names too

kiwik · 14/08/2013 02:46

It wouldn't be my choice, but DS1 has a little friend named Riley who is very cute.
His Mum said she liked the Lightning Seeds' song "Life of Riley" and had always wanted to use the name. (The boy from the song must be at least 20 by now.)

GW297 · 14/08/2013 02:33

I really don't like this name.

Thumbwitch · 14/08/2013 00:50

It's a very popular name in Australia. I know at least 2 (both boys)

squoosh · 14/08/2013 00:48

I know of one. No idea why it's Riley instead of Reilly.

Reilly looks better.

notmuchfun · 14/08/2013 00:45

I think I have just spotted katie Hopkins in her mn disguise.

notmuchfun · 14/08/2013 00:40

I have a Riley.

wish I had used it on my dd instead if ds though.

YoniSingWhenYoureWinning · 14/08/2013 00:25

"Heard it screeched - don't think anybody I know would use it."

Chortle.

CoolStoryBro · 14/08/2013 00:24

"Heard it screeched - don't think anybody I know would use it. I wouldn't have thought it was that popular, it's a pet's name at best."

Miaaaaow!! It's the "don't think anybody I know would use it" that's particularly droll.

I know one boy and 3 girls. All very nice, reasonably affluent and well educated parents.

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