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Baby names

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

Original poster

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?

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flanjabelle · 12/09/2014 11:26

No way.

Sootgremlin · 12/09/2014 11:26

I have to add, I think it would be unpleasant for your daughter to find out the connection in later years and that would stop me using it.

Sootgremlin · 12/09/2014 11:25

I think Reeva is a much more unusual name than those in the examples people are giving of other high profile cases. It is certainly the first time I have heard the name, and that is probably so for the majority of others.

I wouldn't use it this year, not while it is all so current. That is not to say it can never be used, but it will seem like you chose it because it is in the news now, depends on whether that's an association you'd be happy with.

MajesticWhine · 12/09/2014 11:24

Because it's unusual, Reeva Steenkamp is the immediate association. Not quite the same with Oscar, because it is not so unusual.

HighlandHannah · 12/09/2014 11:24

I wouldn't. Maybe a couple of years down the line it would be ok.

financial but James isn't an unusual name, quite the opposite in fact. I have a good friend called Myra - she's 45 Hmm, but I know the name Myra is associated with evil. Reeva did nothing wrong, but she had such a tragic end.

Chachah · 12/09/2014 11:24

Oscar is a well-known common name with many other associations (Oscar Wilde?!)

Reeva is Reeva Steenkamp, and no one else.

BigfootFiles · 12/09/2014 11:23

Riva/Reeva is a Hebrew name actually Sunna.

Zara8 · 12/09/2014 11:23

I dunno...
but I don't like it much as a name anyway.

If you want a similar South Africa/German/Dutch origin name, how about Renate?

LineRunner · 12/09/2014 11:22

So no-one's going to call their boys Oscar any more??

Bowlersarm · 12/09/2014 11:22

Sunna -it's not a made up name.

BigfootFiles · 12/09/2014 11:21

Or just go with Eva. Or Caoimhe (often anglicised to Kiva, Keva or Keeva).

Sunna · 12/09/2014 11:21

Very bad taste to even consider it. It was a made up name.

WhereHas1999DissappearedToo · 12/09/2014 11:19

I think it's fine to use, so long as the baby isn't due any day now.

Bowlersarm · 12/09/2014 11:18

I've just google 'Reeva' and it is only Reeva Steenkamp coming up for pages. So I'd go with 'Riva'

Hakluyt · 12/09/2014 11:18

There are lots of James or Jamies.

How may other Reevas do you know?

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.

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.

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?

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?

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.......

Wonc · 12/09/2014 11:12

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

furcoatbigknickers · 12/09/2014 11:11

Nice name op

furcoatbigknickers · 12/09/2014 11:11

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

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.

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!