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Baby names

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

Original poster

Reeva?

43 replies

Dietru · 19/09/2015 16:35

I love love love this name I think it is so pretty. Obviously I have only heard of it because of the murder trial. I'm wondering if it's a bad choice and if this is all people will think of ? Especially as it says in the paper he could come out on parole after 10 months so it could all come in the media again just after I named my baby Reeva. What do you think?

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BlueChampagne · 19/09/2015 22:39

Let us remember and celebrate her.

KaraokeQueenOfTheNorth · 19/09/2015 19:32

It's the first thing I thought and I imagine the first thing a lot of people will think. I really wouldn't use it.

squoosh · 19/09/2015 19:03

If you google the name Reeva Reeva Steenkmap seems to be one of the only Reevas it turns up.

It's a very unusual name that most people will identify with a murder victim.

I really wouldn't use it.

MamaLazarou · 19/09/2015 18:50

We had a similar thread on here recently. Just don't, everyone will associate your baby with that poor woman.

Savagebeauty · 19/09/2015 18:45

I just think if it said in a horrible South African accent

GRW · 19/09/2015 18:38

I like it and I think it's becoming more widely used as Eva is popular now. You could spell it Riva to avoid association with Reeva Steenkamp.

squishee · 19/09/2015 17:57

I wouldn't.

Tirfarthoinn · 19/09/2015 17:57

Oddly enough I think the name Oscar is on the rise.

Tirfarthoinn · 19/09/2015 17:56

I'm surprised at the strong negative response too. I did immediately make the connection to Reeva Steencamp (SP?) but I think its better to try to remember her than forget.

It is a lovely name.

OneBreathAfterAnother · 19/09/2015 17:54

I wouldn't. It's a lovely name but it's relatively unique in the UK, and with Oscar Pistorious due for release and the prosecutions appeal, it will be in the headlines for a while yet.

If it was a more common name or more time had passed, I think it'd be okay, but not at the moment. It's so strongly linked to Pistorious in most people's minds.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 19/09/2015 17:53

Holly and Jessica are totally uncomparable as they are popular. How many do you know? How many Reevas do you know? Exactly.

I wouldn't.

CultureSucksDownWords · 19/09/2015 17:50

Reeva is significantly more uncommon than Holly, Jessica or Madeleine. I couldn't use the name, if I liked it, as I would think about the awfulness of it all the time I think. That wouldn't be the case with the other names as I personally know people with those names. They would be who I'd think of first and I think other people wouldn't even be aware of the connection given how common those names are.

msrisotto · 19/09/2015 17:28

What about Holly? Or Jessica? Are they also unacceptable? Horrible though it is, lots of women have been murdered and we haven't stricken all of their names from the record.

Nonnainglese · 19/09/2015 17:01

No, no, no, no, never.
Can't believe you're serious.

msrisotto · 19/09/2015 17:00

Oh, i'm surprised at the responses so far. I think it is a beautiful name and yes it might be associated with the tragic case when it comes back in the media for a month or so but that will only be for a short time, not her whole life!

scatterthenuns · 19/09/2015 16:55

I wouldn't.

Floggingmolly · 19/09/2015 16:37

Don't. It's bloody awful anyway.

gonegrey56 · 19/09/2015 16:36

no, too many awful images come to mind of that poor woman...
Just don't, too insensitive I think

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