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Baby names

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

Original poster

Riley or Bailey?

61 replies

VO7777 · 03/01/2016 18:13

Just looking for opinions on the nicest one? Thanks :)

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Raxacoricofallapatorius · 03/01/2016 18:30

Love the disingenuous "but Edward and William" are surnames. Different etymology, different historical use, different cultural associations.

I'm in Norfolk too btw. LOTS of Rileys.

usual · 03/01/2016 18:30

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Original poster
VO7777 · 03/01/2016 18:30

Is Joey any better?

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Original poster
VO7777 · 03/01/2016 18:29

I don't mind if you say you hate them, I wanted opinions :) maybe they're better for the middle!

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Whycantweallgetalong · 03/01/2016 18:29

I prefer Bailey. It has more punch to it. 'Riley' kind of riles the jaw.

AuntieStella · 03/01/2016 18:28

I don't really like surnames as names.

Of these two, I prefer Bailey (as long as your surname isn't Bridge, of course)

Raxacoricofallapatorius · 03/01/2016 18:27

Not true at all usual. Lots of people ask about surname type names (modern ones like Riley and Bailey), classic names, nature names, unusual names, names from certain cultures and so on.

I think it's just a reflection of the general consensus for the British public. Look at the top 100. Wildly popular names are usually classics with veins of other trends running through the lists.

FWIW, I don't like a lot of classics either.

While MN has a demographic, I do think overall you get a good approximation of the reaction you can expect in rl. Except on here we voice it.

SuburbanRhonda · 03/01/2016 18:27

Or -son Smile

floppyjogger · 03/01/2016 18:27

Its only on MN they are hated names!

I love Riley out of the two.

SuburbanRhonda · 03/01/2016 18:27

William
David
Edward

Much more common as surnames with -s or -es on the end.

Original poster
VO7777 · 03/01/2016 18:26

LN is Wakeman

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Original poster
VO7777 · 03/01/2016 18:25

No, I'm not American, from Essex

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SuburbanRhonda · 03/01/2016 18:25

Use them if you like them, OP. Will they go with your surname? I can imagine them sounding ok with a single syllable surname.

Original poster
VO7777 · 03/01/2016 18:25

I like that Riley means courageous! No, no, I'm sure they are common surnames, I've just never come across them as surnames :)

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finetonive · 03/01/2016 18:25

I don't like them, they sound too American, like Brandy, or Shelby or Randy.
There's also something a bit cheap sounding about them.

Apologies if you are American. In which case, they won't seem that unusual.

usual · 03/01/2016 18:24

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Fairylea · 03/01/2016 18:23

I love both.

They are both extremely popular names in our area though (South Norfolk). Riley was the most popular boys name in our particular area for several years running!! That's not necessarily a bad thing, I'd imagine in areas of London there are masses of Georges and Harry's! :)

Firsteverchangeofname · 03/01/2016 18:23

They are both very common surnames Op.

Strokethefurrywall · 03/01/2016 18:22

I prefer Riley but like both.
But I have two boys with surname names 😄

Original poster
VO7777 · 03/01/2016 18:22

Yeah, I am new Grin

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Original poster
VO7777 · 03/01/2016 18:22

I've never seen Riley or Bailey as anyone's surname, lol, but I guess I'll need to rethink? Are they okay for a middle name?

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usual · 03/01/2016 18:21

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usual · 03/01/2016 18:20

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Original poster
VO7777 · 03/01/2016 18:18

Oh, I never knew they would be hated so much! It would be for a boy...

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DramaAlpaca · 03/01/2016 18:18

Of the two I prefer Bailey, but both of them only for boys.